HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1516



         As Reported by House Committee On:       
Health Care
Appropriations

Title: An act relating to increasing access to health services for children through the "kids get care" service delivery model.

Brief Description: Increasing access to health services for children through the "kids get care" service delivery model.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Tom, Kagi, Hankins, Haler, Cody, Priest, Campbell, Kessler, Dunshee, Clibborn, Wallace, Dickerson, Linville, Fromhold, Hunter, Green, Morrell, Darneille, McDermott, Simpson, Chase, O'Brien, Sells, Roberts, Kilmer, Moeller and Ormsby.

Brief History:

Health Care: 2/8/05, 2/24/05 [DPS];

Appropriations: 3/3/05, 3/5/05 [DP2S(w/o sub HC)].

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill
  • Directs the Department of Health to develop and implement best practices in preventative health care for children statewide, to the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller and Schual-Berke.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Alexander.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

The Seattle-King County Health Department operates a program called "kids get care." It provides integrated preventive medical, oral, and developmental health services to young children. Its goal is to reduce the need for hospitalization, caries treatment, and developmental interventions. The program operates through community health centers and private medical practices.


Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Health and the Seattle-King County Health Department will collaborate with local health care agencies and providers to disseminate strategic interventions designed to improve health outcomes in children and save health care costs. The amount of $1,195,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health to provide preventive health care for children statewide. A null and void clause is included.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill contains a null and void clause.


Appropriation: The sum of $1,195,000.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Testimony For: The program is a cost effective approach to providing preventive medical, oral, and developmental health services to young children.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Susan Johnson, King County Health Action Plan; Irene Hutcher, Washington Dental Service Foundation; Tom Malone; and Bob Crittenden, Washington Academy of Family Physicians.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Health Care. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Buri, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunshee, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Pearson, Priest, Schual-Berke, Talcott and Walsh.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong and Clements.

Staff: Amy Hanson (786-7118).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Health Care:

The references to specific funding levels and appropriations are removed. The Department of Health is directed to implement the "kids get care" program subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this purpose.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available on the substitute bill.

Effective Date of Second Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Testimony For: This program is a proven model which has as its mission the prevention of avoidable hospitalization and other illnesses. This is a one-time grant request. These are clinics which integrate the public and private health care providers, medical, dental, and behavioral care into what is truly a one-stop shop. This bill would accelerate the expansion of these clinics across the state.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.