SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2279

                     As of April 15, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the basic health plan.

Brief Description:  Revising the basic health plan.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Huff and Backlund).

Brief History:

Staff: Don Sloma (786-7319)

Background:   Chapter 265, Laws of 1995 made a number of changes to the Basic Health Plan (BHP).  Mental health, chemical dependency treatment, and organ transplant benefits were added.  To boost enrollments in the BHP, an entitlement for health insurance agents and brokers to receive a commission for individual or group enrollments in the BHP was created.  A process for financial sponsorship of enrollees was put in place.  Payments made on behalf of the enrollee are prohibited from exceeding the total premium due from the enrollee.

Summary of Bill:  The Health Care Authority is authorized to establish minimum training requirements, an appointment process for agents and brokers wishing to sell the BHP and standards for revocation of their appointments to sell the BHP for causes including untrustworthiness, incompetence or harm to the public. 

Agents' and brokers' entitlement to receive commissions for enrolling persons in the Basic Health Plan is replaced with permission for the Health Care Authority to pay them for enrolling or re-enrolling people after a five-year period of no enrollment, if funding is specifically provided.

The prohibition against financial sponsor payments exceeding premiums due from the enrollee is deleted.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1997.