SB 6029 - DIGEST

     Provides that, by January 1, 1999, the board shall offer a catastrophic insurance/health care savings account as an employee benefit option for all employees.  In developing this option, the board shall include the following elements:  (1) Methods of maximizing cost containment while ensuring employees maximum choice of providers and access to quality health care;

     (2) effective coordination of benefits;

     (3) minimum standards for insuring entities;

     (4) methods for maximizing financial responsibility in the purchase of health services by employees; and

     (5) the establishment by the public employees' benefit board and the health care authority of a technical advisory committee to provide advice in the development of the benefit design and the establishment of the catastrophic insurance/health care services account.