BILL REQ. #:  H-3888.2 

Read first time 01/27/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to health care services; adding new sections to chapter 70.14 RCW; and adding new sections to chapter 43.70 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 70.14 RCW to read as follows:
     Any applicant for state purchased health care benefits under chapter 74.09 or 70.47 RCW shall identify the employer or employers of the proposed beneficiary of the health care benefits. In the event the proposed beneficiary is not employed, the applicant shall identify the employer or employers of any adult who is responsible for providing all or some of the proposed beneficiary's support.
     As used in this section, "proposed beneficiary" means any person who files an application for benefits for himself or herself; or any other person on whose behalf an application is filed, including, but not limited to, children or other dependents of the applicant or other individual for whom the application is filed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:
     A person requesting uncompensated care in a hospital shall identify the employer or employers of the proposed beneficiary of the health care services. In the event the proposed beneficiary is not employed, the person shall identify the employer or employers of any adult who is responsible for providing all or some of the proposed beneficiary's support.
     As used in this section, "proposed beneficiary" means any person who seeks uncompensated care for himself or herself; or any other person on whose behalf uncompensated care is requested, including, but not limited to, children or other dependents of the person for whom the request is made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 70.14 RCW to read as follows:
     On or before February 1st of each year, the department of social and health services and the health care authority shall provide the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives a report listing all employers identified through the application requirements of section 1 of this act. The report must include each company name, location, and the total number of their employees and dependents who are enrolled in each state funded health care program. No other information regarding program beneficiaries may be included in this report. The report must also be made available to the public.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:
     On or before February 1st of each year, the department shall provide the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives a report listing all employers identified under section 2 of this act. The report must include each company name, location, and the total number of their employees and dependents who requested uncompensated care at a hospital. No other information regarding persons seeking uncompensated care in a hospital may be included in this report. The report must also be made available to the public.