FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5401

                           C 81 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Extending deadlines for studies of medical benefits for injured workers under a consolidated health care system.

Sponsors:  Senators Quigley, Winsley, Moyer and C. Anderson; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care

Background:  The Health Services Act of 1993 required that the Health Services Commission, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Industries, study and report on the consolidated delivery of medical services within the workers' compensation program and other health systems envisioned under health reform.  The final report is due in January 1996.

In addition, the 1993 Act authorized the Department of Labor and Industries to conduct pilot projects to test the feasibility of purchasing medical services for the workers' compensation program through managed care, and to report its results by October 1996.

Some of the affected parties feel the report on consolidation would benefit from the results of the pilot projects.

Summary:  The final due date for the workers' compensation medical aid and health reform consolidation study is moved to January 1997.  The final due date for the pilot project report is moved to April 1997.  However, an interim report is required in October 1996, and the projects must end on January 1, 1997.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    47 1

House     97 0

Effective:  July 23, 1995