SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5585
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 Passed Senate, March 14, 2007
Title: An act relating to parent and child health services provided by the department of health.
Brief Description: Concerning parent and child health services provided by the department of health.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Tom, Keiser, Weinstein, Oemig, Kohl-Welles, Marr, Fraser, Prentice and Franklin).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/15/07, 2/26/07 [DPS, w/oRec].
Passed Senate: 3/14/07, 32-17.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5585 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles and Marr.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Pflug, Ranking Minority Member and Carrell.
Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)
Background: Title X is a federal program solely designed to provide family planning and
reproductive health care. Federal grants for this program are administered through the
Department of Health's Family Planning and Reproductive Health Section.
Federal guidelines allow for flexibility in administering Title X funds, but set a minimum
standard of care for those individuals who want reproductive health care. These include: that
people must be given a choice of contraceptive methods without coercion toward any one
method; that services be provided in the context of related reproductive health care; that recipients
are charged fees based on their income and ability to pay; and that no Title X funds are used to
pay for abortions.
The Department administers these federal funds through 19 clinics statewide, of which ten are
local health jurisdictions, four are Planned Parenthood programs, and five are non-profit clinics.
In 2006, the department contracted with planned agencies serving 114,443 clients statewide. Of
those, half were below 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Within funds appropriated for this purpose, the department shall
provide family planning services to men and women not otherwise eligible for these services
under current public programs.
Family planning services is defined as the provision of effective risk reduction education and
counseling, preventive medical exams and testing, screening, and the treatment of sexually
transmitted diseases, cancer screening, contraceptive supplies and devices, and sterilization
counseling and services.
The federal poverty level for public family planning services is changed from 200 to 250 percent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2007.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill: PRO: The bill codifies what the Department of Health is currently doing in family planning contracts across the state. As the definition of family planning is eroding at the federal level, we are making the statement that it includes more than simply preventing pregnancy and is a priority in Washington State. Family planning includes preventing the types of diseases that impact healthy families, which includes sexually transmitted diseases.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Maria Wood, Public Health Seattle/King County; Amy Luftig, Planned Parenthood Network of Washington; Sandy Huston, Family Planning of Clallam County; Vicki Kirkpatrick, Washington Association of Local Public Health Officials.