Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care

HB 1093

Brief Description:  Changing physician license fees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schual‑Berke, Ballasiotes, Cody, Campbell, Ruderman, Skinner, Conway, Edmonds, Kenney and Kagi.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Raises the $25 annual surcharge on physician licenses to $35 to fund the Impaired Physicians Program.

Hearing Date:  1/25/01

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background: 

A statutory surcharge of $25 is added to a licensing fee or license renewal fee of physicians and physician assistants to finance the Impaired Physician Program.  The Medical Quality Assurance Commission is required by law to enter into a contract with a professional which provides evaluation and treatment services to physicians and physician assistants impaired as a result of chemical abuse or mental illness to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to their patients.

Summary of Bill: 

The statutory surcharge of $25 for financing the Impaired Physician Program is raised to $35, and must be adjusted annually for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index for the Seattle area compiled by the US Department of Labor.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 16, 2001.