HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2465

                      As Passed House:

                      February 11, 1998

Title:  An act relating to health care providers' communication with patients.

Brief Description:  Expanding the privileged communication from physician‑patient to the health care provider and patient privilege.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Cody, Backlund, L. Thomas and Cooke.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/29/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/11/98, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Parlette; Sherstad; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Under current law, a physician or osteopathic physician generally enjoys the physician-patient privilege whereby the physician may not be compelled in a civil action before a court of law to disclose information acquired from a patient which was necessary in treating the patient.

This right of privileged or confidential communication however does not extend to other health providers under state law.

Summary of Bill:  The right of  privileged or confidential communication is extended to podiatric physicians regulated by the Department of Health and they may not be compelled to disclose in a civil action information acquired from a patient which was necessary to treat a patient.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  All health providers should have the right of confidential communications with their patients protected.  It encourages the patient to fully relate their problems without fear of exposure.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Melanie Stewart, Washington State Podiatric Medicine Association (pro).