HB 1865-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Requires the secretary, for calendar years 2004 and 2005, to increase the licensing fee established under RCW 43.70.110 for health care professionals and facilities designated in this act by one percent of the amount of the applicable annual licensing fee. Proceeds of the patient safety fee must be dedicated to patient safety and medical error reduction efforts that have been proven to improve the quality of care provided by health care professionals and facilities.

Provides that one percent of the present value of the settlement or judgment in any action for damages based upon injuries resulting from health care that is paid to an injured claimant in calendar year 2004 or 2005 shall be deducted from the settlement or judgment as a patient safety set aside. Proceeds of the patient safety set aside will be distributed by the department of health in the form of grants, loans, or other appropriate arrangements to support strategies that have been proven to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety as provided in this act.

Requires patient safety set asides to be transmitted to the secretary of the department of health for deposit into the patient safety account established in this act.

Provides that, by December 1, 2006, the department shall report the following information to the governor and the health policy and fiscal committees of the legislature: (1) The amount of patient safety fees and set asides deposited to date in the patient safety account;

(2) The criteria for distribution of grants and loans under this act; and

(3) A description of the medical error reduction and patient safety grants and loans distributed to date, including their desired objectives, activities, timelines, and any available information on outcomes.

Creates the patient safety account in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from the fees created in this act must be deposited into the account.