HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3047
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to health care services.
Brief Description: Requiring applicants for state purchased health care benefits or uncompensated hospital care to identify the employer of the proposed beneficiary of the benefits or care.
Sponsors: Representatives Conway, Simpson, G., Chase and Ormsby.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/3/04, 2/5/04 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
• Applicants for state purchased health care benefits will identify their employer. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller and Schual-Berke.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Benson, Rodne and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
Many employers choose not to provide health care benefits for their employees. These employees either go without health insurance or apply for state purchased health care programs supported with public funds.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
People applying for state purchased health care benefits will identify their employer or the employer of the proposed beneficiary of the health care benefits. The Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority will provide a report identifying all reported employers to the appropriate committees of the Senate and House of Representatives by February 1 of each year.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The requirement that persons seeking uncompensated care from a hospital report their employer to the hospital and the Department of Health is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2004.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The information gathered through this process will help the Legislature understand why, and under what circumstances, employees are receiving their health care coverage through publically financed programs.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Conway, prime sponsor.
(Neutral) Kathy Eberly, Health Care Authority; and Steven Wish, Department of Social and Health Services.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.