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: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by 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: Passed House: 3/09/05, 70-26.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/30/05, 3/31/05 [DPA-WM, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Franklin, Kastama, Kline and Poulsen.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Brandland, Johnson and Parlette.

Staff: Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

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 Amended Bill: The Department of Health (Department) and the "kids get care" program of 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, subject to funds appropriated for this purpose. Reports on the program's effectiveness and cost savings must be provided to the legislature in June 2006 and June 2007.

The Department will support two additional kids get care sites during fiscal year 2006, and two more in fiscal year 2007.

A null and void clause is included.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The striking amendment changes the number of additional kids get care sites to be supported in 2006 from five to two, and in 2007, from ten to two.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This program has been in existence for over four years and has great health outcomes. It integrates oral health care with other medical treatment, and focuses on preventive care. Significant cost savings will accrue to the state by catching problems early. Teams of practitioners from around the state work together to improve care in their facilities using evidence based best practices, and there is interest in expanding the program. Kids get care helps turn best kept secrets into best practices to help find, prevent and treat diseases in children. The bill will promote what is a proven cost effective approach to care.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Susan Johnson, Kirsten Wysen, King County Health Action Plan; Nicole Reavis, University of Washington Child Health Institute; Sean Pickard, Washington Dental Foundation.