Brief Description: Providing access to health insurance for children.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Clibborn, Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Tom, Moeller, Schual-Berke, Wallace, Grant, Williams, Lovick, Ormsby, Chase, Kessler, Kagi, Hunt, Appleton, Darneille, Upthegrove, Sells, Roberts, Conway, Miloscia, Fromhold, P. Sullivan, Santos, Takko, Green, Wood, Simpson, Hasegawa and Dickerson).

House Committee on Health Care
House Committee on Appropriations

Background:

The federal government granted a request from the State of Washington to charge monthly premiums for medical, dental, and mental health coverage of children whose family income is above the poverty level. The Department of Social and Health Services has the statutory authority to establish, copayment, deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing requirements for recipients of any medical program. The amount, scope, and duration of health care services for children served through the children's health program is the same as that provided to children through the medical assistance program operated by the Department of Social and Health Services. Eligibility for the children's health program for undocumented children is currently set at the Federal Poverty Level.

Summary:

The requirement that the University of Washington conduct an evaluation of the maternity care access program is deleted. An intent statement is provided that the Legislature intends to provide health care coverage for all children by 2010. Within available funds, the children's health program will provide health services to poor children who are not eligible for medical assistance because of their legal status.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   66   32
Senate   28   21

Effective: July 24, 2005

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed the emergency clause.