FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5000

                           C 3 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Repealing the basic health plan sunset termination.

SPONSORS: Senators Gaspard, Talmadge, Snyder, Prentice, Skratek, Drew, Fraser, Owen, Sheldon, Pelz, Rinehart, McAuliffe, M. Rasmussen, Wojahn, Williams, A. Rasmussen, A. Smith, Loveland, Vognild, Hargrove, Jesernig, Bauer, Spanel, Sutherland, Winsley, West, Moyer, Erwin, Quigley, von Reichbauer, Haugen, Sellar, Hochstatter, Newhouse, Oke, McDonald and Roach

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

BACKGROUND:

The Basic Health Plan (BHP) is a pilot program established by the Washington Legislature in 1987.  It provides state subsidized, basic health insurance through privately managed health care plans to persons with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The BHP provides insurance coverage for medical care including preventive care, outpatient physician services, hospital care, emergency care, laboratory and x-ray, and ambulance services.  The BHP does not cover prescription drugs, vision care, dental services, mental health or chemical dependency, most maternity care, physical therapy, cosmetic surgery, or organ transplants.  In addition, there is a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions.

As a pilot program, the BHP has completed a program and fiscal review, and is scheduled for termination under the provisions of the Washington State Sunset Act on June 30, 1993, unless reauthorized by the Legislature.  The Legislative Budget Committee, which completed the review of the program last year, recommended continuation of the BHP.

SUMMARY:

The statutes terminating the BHP are repealed.  The BHP is continued indefinitely.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     92   0

EFFECTIVE:January 27, 1993