BILL REQ. #:  S-0983.1 

Read first time 01/26/09.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to chemotherapy treatment costs; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.41 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.42 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 70.47 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:
     Every health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that (1) provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment, (2) is not subject to Title 48 RCW, and (3) is established or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:
     Every disability insurance policy issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
     Every group disability insurance policy issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 48.41 RCW to read as follows:
     Every health plan issued or renewed by a member beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 48.42 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning January 1, 2010, every person or entity regulated under RCW 48.42.010 that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
     Every health plan issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:
     Every health care service contract issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:
     Every health maintenance agreement issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   A new section is added to chapter 70.47 RCW to read as follows:
     Every schedule of benefits established or renewed beginning January 1, 2010, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis not less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications, including copayments.