Title: An act relating to basic health plan eligibility of persons studying in the United States under temporary visas.

Brief Description: Eliminating basic health plan eligibility of persons holding student visas.

Sponsors: By Representatives Dickerson, Cody, Sommers, Darneille, Schual-Berke, Kenney and Clibborn.

Brief History:

Health Care: 2/3/05, 2/11/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/3/05, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

The Basic Health Plan provides coverage to people who are not eligible for Medicare, not confined in government-operated facilities, live in an area of the state served by a participating managed care program, have household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and agree to make periodic payments to the plan. Eligibility does not require that an enrollee be a United States citizen.

Summary of Bill:

Full-time students on a temporary visa to study in the United States are not eligible to enroll in the Basic Health Plan.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Foreign students studying in Washington under a student visa should not be receiving their health coverage through the Basic Health Plan. When they enter this country they should have sufficient resources so they do not need to use health care services subsidized by the taxpayer.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; and Dennis Martin, Health Care Authority.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.