FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1982

                         C 335 L 97

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Limiting basic health plan eligibility for persons in institutions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Cody and Backlund; by request of Health Care Authority.

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  A potential Basic Health Plan (BHP) enrollee is defined as an individual not eligible for medicare, who resides in an area of the state served by a managed health care system participating in the plan, and whose gross family income at the time of enrollment does not exceed twice the federal poverty level.

This definition does not exclude persons confined or residing in a government-operated institution.  The administrator of the BHP is concerned that if such institutions begin enrolling confined persons, there will be a substantial increase in health service use and related premium costs.

Summary:  The definition of BHP enrollee is amended to exclude a person confined or residing in a government-operated institution, unless eligibility criteria adopted by the administrator are met.  The administrator is required to establish, in consultation with appropriate state and local government agencies, criteria defining eligibility for persons confined or residing in government-operated institutions.

Votes on Final Passage:

House950

Senate450(Senate amended)

House980(House concurred)

Effective:July 27,  1997