HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6002

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:

Ways & Means

Title: An act relating to the Washington state quality forum.

Brief Description: Abolishing the Washington state quality forum.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser and Pridemore; by request of Health Care Authority.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Ways & Means: 4/25/09 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Repeals the Washington State Quality Forum.
Repeals the requirement that the Department of Health provide the quality forum information on adverse health events and incident reports.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Seaquist and Sullivan.

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392)

Background:

The Washington State Quality Forum (Forum) within the Health Care Authority was established by the Legislature in 2007. The Forum's responsibilities include the collection and dissemination of research on health care quality, evidence-based medicine, and patient safety to promote best practices. The Forum is also tasked to coordinate the collection of health care quality data among state health care purchasing agencies, and adopt a set of measures to evaluate and compare health care cost, quality, and provider performance.

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Summary of Bill:

The Forum is repealed. The requirement that the Department of Health provide the Forum information on adverse health events and incident reports is repealed.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.