SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5917

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 3, 1999

Title:  An act relating to compensation for the medical quality assurance commission.

Brief Description:  Providing for per diem compensation for members of the medical quality assurance commission.

Sponsors:  Senators Franklin, Winsley and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  3/1/99, 3/3/99 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Franklin, Johnson and Winsley.

Staff:  Christopher Blake (786-7446)

Background:  The Medical Quality Assurance Commission is categorized as a class three group for compensation purposes.  Members of commissions in this group receive compensation at a rate of no more than $50 for each day that they attend an official meeting or perform other duties required by their position.  Some have suggested that this rate of compensation is insufficient and that it makes it difficult to attract individuals to serve on the commission.

Summary of Bill:  Reference to the Medical Quality Assurance Commission as a class three groups is eliminated.  Compensation for members of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission is set at a maximum amount of $250 per day.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  Current compensation rates for members of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission are too low to attract practicing physicians to serve.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Franklin, prime sponsor (pro); Carl Nelson, WA State Medical Assn. (pro).