SENATE 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 Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, March 23, 2009

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

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Hobbs, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Regala and Rockefeller.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Oemig.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Honeyford, Parlette and Schoesler.

Background: The Blue Ribbon Commission legislation passed in 2007 created the Washington Quality Forum (Forum) within the Health Care Authority. 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.

Summary of Bill: This bill eliminates the Forum and repeals the requirement that the Department of Health report adverse events to the Forum.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Continuation of this program was hindered by the Governor's hiring freeze and this bill is necessary to implement the budget.