HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5406
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to making medicare supplemental insurance policies administered under chapter 41.05 RCW conform to federal law.
Brief Description: Modifying medicare supplemental insurance policy provisions to conform to federal law.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Parlette and Keiser).
Brief History:
Health Care: 3/17/05, 3/18/05 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Clibborn, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
The Health Care Authority (Authority) is required to make available to retired and disabled
employees at least two Medicare supplemental insurance policies. One of the policies must
include coverage for prescription drugs. In 2003, Congress enacted the Medicare
Modernization Act which provides prescription drug coverage through the Medicare
program.
Summary of Bill:
The Authority will offer to eligible retired and disabled employees one or more Medicare
supplemental insurance policies that conform to minimum standards adopted by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners. In addition to retired or disabled state employees,
retired or disabled school district employees, and retired employees of county, municipal, or
other political subdivisions, these Medicare supplemental insurance policies will be available
to surviving spouses of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This legislation is needed to bring state statutes in line with the Medicare drug coverage expansion.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Keiser, prime sponsor; and Richard Onizuka, Health Care Authority.