SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6877
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 3, 2010
Title: An act relating to newborn screening fees.
Brief Description: Concerning newborn screening fees.
Sponsors: Senators Prentice and Kohl-Welles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/25/10, 3/03/10 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Fairley, Hobbs, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Pridemore, Regala and Rockefeller.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Honeyford and Schoesler.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Parlette and Pflug.
Staff: Jenny Greenlee (786-7711)
Background: Newborn infants in Washington are screened for several inherited genetic disorders before they are discharged from a hospital. The Department of Health (DOH) collects a one-time charge for the screening, which is added to the billings per maternity services. The current screening fee is $60.90. This fee does not cover follow-up treatment services for children.
The DOH is authorized to collect an additional fee to fund specialty clinics that provide treatment services to those with congenital disorders as defined by the State Board of Health. The additional fee was set at $3.50 per infant in 1999. In 2005 an additional fee of $3.10 was authorized in the biennial budget. Authority to collect the additional fee expired July 1, 2007, and state general funds have been used to continue treatment services for those children diagnosed. The current specialty clinic fee is capped at $3.50, per legislation offered in 2007.
Summary of Bill: The specialty clinic fee is increased from $3.50 to $6.40. Revenue may also be used for education and outreach activities within specialty clinics.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 24, 2010.
[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.