Title: An act relating to centralized technology assessment pilot project.

Brief Description: Providing for a centralized technology assessment pilot project.

Sponsors: Senators Thibaudeau, Fairley, Keiser, Doumit, Jacobsen and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/24/05, 2/28/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Benson, Franklin, Johnson, Kastama, Kline, Parlette and Poulsen.

Staff: Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background: Several state agencies, including the Medical Assistance Administration, the Department of Labor and Industries, the Health Care Authority, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Veterans Affairs purchase medical treatment on behalf of their clients. As such, they are responsible for deciding what health services are covered and under what conditions.

With growing pressure for cost containment and quality improvement, it has become increasingly important that the agencies make coverage decisions based on a thorough assessment of medical evidence establishing the efficacy of a given medical device, treatment, or service. Currently, however, each agency has its own separate process for doing so. These processes have varying levels of sophistication, are often duplicative, and are considered inadequate to support the decision-making needs of the individual agencies.

It is suggested that a centralized health technology assessment process will create consistency among agencies and increase the sophistication of agency assessments in support of health care coverage decisions.

Summary of Bill: The health care authority must design and implement a centralized technology assessment pilot project to strengthen the capacity of state health care agencies and others to obtain and evaluate scientific evidence regarding evolving health care procedures, services, and technology in support of appropriate coverage and medical necessity decisions and criteria. A preliminary evaluation of the project is due to the legislature by May 2007, with a final evaluation by March 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 24, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The Health Care Authority supports the concept of a centralized technology assessment pilot project.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: Nancy Fisher, Health Care Authority.