FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 6458

FULL VETO

As Passed Legislature

Brief Description: Addressing the office of the insurance commissioner and matters related to health care insurance.

Sponsors: Senators Becker, Angel, Dammeier, Brown, Tom, Schoesler, Bailey, Braun, Hill, Baumgartner, Litzow, Parlette and Honeyford.

Senate Committee on Health Care

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

Background: The Washington State Insurance Commissioner was established as a statewide elected position in 1907. The Commissioner serves four-year terms.

Eleven states, including Washington, have an insurance regulator that is elected. In eight states, the insurance regulator is appointed by an official other than the Governor. In the majority of states, the Governor makes the appointment.

Summary: In addition to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, the Insurance Commissioner must provide notice of proposed rulemaking on matters related to health care insurance to the health care committees of the Legislature, the Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange), the Health Care Authority (HCA), and the Governor.

In the event a dispute arises among the state officials and entities implementing the federal health care law, the Governor must convene a meeting with the following officials: the Insurance Commissioner; HCA; the Department of Health; the Department of Social and Health Services; the Governor's Legislative Affairs and Policy Office; the Office of Financial Management; the Exchange, and any other officials the Governor deems appropriate.

The Governor may utilize the Health Leadership Team as a forum to convene the meeting. The resolution of the meeting must be reported to the appropriate committees of the Legislature and the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight.

Votes on Final Passage: