SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHCR 4404
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:
Health & Long-Term Care, March 21, 2011
Brief Description: Continuing the work of the joint select committee on health reform implementation.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Schmick, Cody, Hinkle and Frockt).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/11, 92-5.
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/14/11, 3/21/11 [DPA, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Kline, Murray, Parlette, Pflug and Pridemore.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Carrell.
Staff: Mich'l Needham (786-7442)
Background: The 2010 Legislature created the Joint Select Committee on Health Reform Implementation (JSC) to allow review and discussion of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which was passed in March 2010. PPACA includes a number of provisions that must be developed and implemented by states.
The JSC was co-chaired by the chairs of the health committees in the Senate and House of Representatives, with two additional members from each caucus. The JSC formed advisory committees to focus on specific topic areas, including health care workforce development, insurance changes and the insurance exchange, and low-income coverage issues.
The legislation creating the JSC expires June 30, 2011.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): The Joint Select Committee on Health Reform Implementation (JSC) is continued. The JSC will consist of the chairs of the health committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, as co-chairs of the committee, with four additional members of the Senate and four additional members of the House, two appointed from each caucus. The Governor will be invited to appoint a non-voting liaison member.
The co-chairs may direct the formation of advisory committees to focus on specific topic areas such as insurance regulation, access to and expansion of public and private programs, cost containment, and workforce issues. Interested stakeholders and experts may be invited to advise the committee.
The JSC must establish an advisory committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority in the development of its implementation plan to coordinate the purchase and delivery of acute care, long-term care, and behavioral health services.
The JSC expires on or before June 30, 2014.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Has the chairs of the Health committees serve as co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee, and restores the committee membership to original numbers, five from the Senate and five from the House. Removes the sentence regarding compensation to leave flexibility for federal grant resources to support the Joint Select Committee meetings.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Concurrent Resolution: PRO: There was an accidental drafting error in the floor amendment that changed the number of members for the committee, and we hope the Senate will restore the original membership numbers. The new advisory committee to review the implementation plan for the DSHS-HCA single state agency merger bill (SHB 1738) was a request of the long-term care advocates to provide a public venue for reviewing the program connections when Medicaid is pulled from DSHS. It is to ensure there is coordination with other services like long-term care. The Joint Select Committee provides an important opportunity for stakeholder input, and legislative oversight with bipartisan involvement.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Cody, sponsor; Patrick Connor, National Federation of Independent Businesses; Donna Steward, Association of Washington Businesses; Mel Sorensen, America's Health Insurance Plans, Washington Association of Health Underwriters, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; Scott Dahlman, Washington Farm Bureau.