BILL REQ. #:  H-0422.1 

Read first time 01/16/2007.   Referred to Committee on Appropriations.

     AN ACT Relating to retired or disabled school employee participation in state health insurance plans; and amending RCW 41.05.080.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 41.05.080 and 2001 c 165 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Under the qualifications, terms, conditions, and benefits set by the board:
     (a) Retired or disabled state employees, retired or disabled school employees, or employees of county, municipal, or other political subdivisions covered by this chapter who are retired may continue their participation in insurance plans and contracts after retirement or disablement;
     (b) Separated employees may continue their participation in insurance plans and contracts if participation is selected immediately upon separation from employment;
     (c) Retired or disabled school employees who do not immediately enroll in a medical plan developed by the board at the time of separation from employment may later enroll by providing proof of continuous coverage through other comprehensive employer group medical coverage;
     (d) Surviving spouses and dependent children of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty may participate in insurance plans and contracts.
     (2) Rates charged surviving spouses of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty, retired or disabled employees, separated employees, spouses, or dependent children who are not eligible for parts A and B of medicare shall be based on the experience of the community rated risk pool established under RCW 41.05.022.
     (3) Rates charged to surviving spouses of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty, retired or disabled employees, separated employees, spouses, or children who are eligible for parts A and B of medicare shall be calculated from a separate experience risk pool comprised only of individuals eligible for parts A and B of medicare; however, the premiums charged to medicare-eligible retirees and disabled employees shall be reduced by the amount of the subsidy provided under RCW 41.05.085.
     (4) Surviving spouses and dependent children of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty and retired or disabled and separated employees shall be responsible for payment of premium rates developed by the authority which shall include the cost to the authority of providing insurance coverage including any amounts necessary for reserves and administration in accordance with this chapter. These self pay rates will be established based on a separate rate for the employee, the spouse, and the children.
     (5) The term "retired state employees" for the purpose of this section shall include but not be limited to members of the legislature whether voluntarily or involuntarily leaving state office.