HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6333
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to the creation of a citizens' work group on health care reform.
Brief Description: Establishing a citizens' work group on health care.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Marr and McAuliffe).
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/25/08, 2/27/08 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Barlow, Campbell, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Condotta and DeBolt.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
Over the past 20 years, Washington has enacted several policy and budget initiatives to
extend health coverage to individuals and families who did not have access to affordable
health insurance. The creation of the Basic Health Plan, the expansion of eligibility for the
Medicaid program, the creation of the "Cover All Children" program, and the Health
Insurance Partnership all combine to extend publically subsidized health coverage to
previously uninsured groups. There is still a sizeable population of individuals in
Washington who are not covered by health insurance and do not have access to affordable
health coverage. There is not a consensus about how best to provide access to affordable,
quality health coverage to all Washingtonians. Options to provide increased access to
affordable health coverage range from private sector modifications of insurance regulation to
public sector expansions of existing publically subsidized programs.
Summary of Amended Bill:
A 13-member work group including nine citizens appointed by the Governor and four
legislators will engage in a public process of considering health reform proposals. The work
group will report their findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor and the
Legislature by December 1, 2009. The Legislature will contract for an independent analysis
of five health reform proposals ranging from a market based health coverage plan to a single
payer proposal that will provide universal coverage.
Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:
The citizens work group is reduced from 17 members to 13 members. The work group may
hire up to two staff rather than being staffed by the House and Senate committee staff. The
work group will engage in a public process around the state after the econometric analysis of
health care reform proposals is completed, not before they are conducted. The work group
will submit their final report in December 2009, rather than December 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended 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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) There needs to be an active engagement with citizens from all walks of life about
what to do with our health care system. Health care is too expensive, it is not accessible, and
the quality is not high enough. An econometric analysis of several different health care
reform proposals will lay the ground work for a new health care system in Washington.
(Opposed) It does not make sense to engage in a public process exploring health care reform
before an econometric analysis of various proposals is completed. Engaging in a series of
focus groups and grass roots meetings during an election cycle will turn this into a partisan,
political process.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Keiser, prime sponsor; Mike Kreidler, Office of
the Insurance Commissioner; David McLanahan, Physicians for a National Health Program -
Western Washington; Kent Davis and Linda Davis, Washington Health Security Coalition;
Damiana Merryweather, United Food and Commercial Workers - State Council; Teresa
Mosqueda, Children's Alliance; Len McComb, Washington Hospital Association; and Brian
Wicks, Washington State Medical Association.
(Opposed) Troy Nichols, National Federation of Independent Business - Washington; Mark
Johnson, Washington Retail Association; and Gary Smith, Independent Business Association.