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

HB 1742

Brief Description:  Authorizing regional health care access demonstration projects.

Sponsors:  Representatives Gombosky, Cox, Cody, Schual‑Berke, Edwards and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The administrator of the Health Care Authority is authorized to waive statutory requirements related to basic health plan coverage, contracting standards, and medical assistance standards for the delivery of health care services through managed health care systems.

Hearing Date:  2/15/01

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background: 

Managed health care systems that contract with the Health Care Authority must meet standard requirements related to the services provided to covered enrollees and financial reserve requirements under Title 48 RCW.

Summary of Bill: 

The administrator of the Health Care Authority is authorized to grant up to six regional health care access demonstration project applications.  The administrator is authorized to waive statutory requirements related to managed health care systems providing health services to basic health plan enrollees, the rate setting process for delivering basic health plan services, and the statutory principles used in purchasing health care for medical assistance recipients through managed health care systems.  The activities and operations of authorized demonstration projects are exempt from the provisions of Title 48 RCW.

Appropriation:  The Sum of $4,000,000.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 13, 2001.

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