HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6187
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to removing tricare supplemental insurance policies from the definition of health plan or health benefit plan.
Brief Description: Removing tricare supplemental insurance policies from the definition of health plan or health benefit plan.
Sponsors: Senator Keiser.
Brief History:
Health Care: 2/17/06, 2/21/06 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Bailey, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Lantz, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
TRICARE is the United States Department of Defense's worldwide health care program for
uniformed service members and their families. It is available to service members upon their
retirement, even if they subsequently become employed.
The Legislature enacted legislation in 2005 allowing the Public Employee Benefits Board,
which provides health coverage for state and other public employees, to offer TRICARE
supplemental insurance. The intent was to allow those who are TRICARE eligible, but
subsequently employed by the state or other public employer, to choose the supplemental
insurance coverage at less cost to themselves and their employer.
Left unchanged by the 2005 legislation, however, were provisions in the general insurance
code which also preclude the offering of TRICARE supplemental insurance.
Summary of Bill:
TRICARE supplemental coverage is removed from the definition of "health plan" for
purposes of regulation under the state's insurance code.
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: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: None.