SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1424

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 25, 1997

Title:  An act relating to kidney dialysis centers.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for kidney dialysis centers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Skinner and Murray.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/19/97, 3/25/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Fairley, Franklin and Wojahn.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background:  The 1995 Legislature, in SHB 1205, defined a new category of health care facility entitled Health Care Entities.  These new entities include kidney dialysis centers.  Kidney dialysis centers are included as health care entities regulated by the Board of Pharmacy, and are required to be licensed by the Department of Health in order to purchase, administer, and dispense legend drugs.  Kidney dialysis centers utilize a few different types of drugs for treating dialysis patients.  These drugs are regulated by other statutory and administrative rules and are not considered addictive.

The Board of Pharmacy reported that the costs of licensing and regulation can be considerable without bringing a proportional increase in public safety.  Kidney dialysis centers have served dialysis patients for over 30 years without a significant incidence of harm to patients involving drugs.  The board has not received any information that drug utilization by kidney dialysis centers has resulted in significant harm to any patient.

Summary of Bill:  Kidney dialysis centers are no longer considered health care entities requiring licensing and regulation under the Department of Health.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Inclusion of dialysis centers in the 1995 legislation was a surprise.  The centers are already inspected and certified by other federal and state agencies.  The bill is supported by the Board of Pharmacy.  Historically, the centers have not had any problems for which the type of regulation provided under the 1995 legislation is appropriate.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Dr. Christopher Blagg, Northwest Kidney Center.