BILL REQ. #:  S-1993.2 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to describing when the department of health may collect a fee for infant screening services; amending RCW 70.83.040; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 70.83.040 and 1999 c 76 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     When notified of positive screening tests, the state department of health shall offer the use of its services and facilities, designed to prevent mental retardation or physical defects in such children, to the attending physician, or the parents of the newborn child if no attending physician can be identified.
     The services and facilities of the department, and other state and local agencies cooperating with the department in carrying out programs of detection and prevention of mental retardation and physical defects shall be made available to the family and physician to the extent required in order to carry out the intent of this chapter and within the availability of funds. The department has the authority to collect a reasonable fee, from the parents or other responsible party of each infant screened to fund specialty clinics that provide treatment services for hemoglobin diseases, phenylketonuria, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ((and)) congenital hypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency, galactosemia, homocystinuria, maple syrup urine disease, and medium chain acyl co-A dehydrogenase deficiency. The fee may be collected through the facility where the screening specimen is obtained.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The department of health shall conduct a study of the funding mechanisms that support the treatment of disorders defined by the board of health under RCW 70.83.020 and rules adopted under RCW 70.83.050. The study shall include: An evaluation of the current specialty clinic fee funding and collection method; identification of funding gaps; identification and evaluation of alternative funding and collection methods; and an assessment of the availability of additional federal, state, or grant funding.
     In conducting the study, the department shall convene an advisory group which shall include one representative from the: Department of health, University of Washington medical center, state board of health, march of dimes, medical assistance administration, Washington health plan association, and Washington state hospital association. The findings of the study shall be presented to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2005. No changes to the fee may be made until April 1, 2006.