FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6121

                           C 67 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Continuing the diabetes cost reduction act.

Sponsors:  Senators Wojahn, Deccio, Thibaudeau, Winsley, Fairley, Rasmussen, Patterson and Kohl‑Welles.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care

Background:  The Diabetes Cost Reduction Act was passed in 1997 and became effective January 1, 1998.  It requires state purchased health care, and health carriers licensed by the state who provide health insurance coverage which includes pharmacy benefits, to provide  specified coverage for diabetic persons.  These provisions do not apply to the Basic Health Plan, or to the plans identical to the Basic Health Plan which insurers are required to offer.

The act was subject to sunset review and will terminate on June 30, 2001.

The recently completed sunset review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) recommended that AThe 2000 Legislature should rescind sunset termination of the Diabetes Cost Reduction Act and direct the Washington State Department of Health to evaluate the impact of the act to present a final report by 2007 to JLARC.@

Summary:  The termination of the Diabetes Cost Reduction Act is repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 470

House980

Effective:June 8, 2000