FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5444

                           C 57 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Eliminating the termination of hospice care and service coverage as medical assistance.

SPONSORS: Senator Talmadge; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BACKGROUND:

Hospice benefits provided through the state's medical assistance program expire on June 30, 1993, unless the termination provision is repealed by the Legislature.  Currently, categorically needy medical assistance clients are covered under hospice benefits but terminally ill medically needy clients are not.  It has been found that providing hospice care is a cost-effective and successful policy.

SUMMARY:

The sunset provision terminating hospice benefits provided through the medical assistance program is eliminated.  Hospice benefits are extended to the medically needy as well.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    44   0

House     98   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993