HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5689

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 House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Appropriations

Title: An act relating to containing the scope and costs of the diabetes epidemic in Washington.

Brief Description: Concerning the scope and costs of the diabetes epidemic in Washington.

Sponsors: Senators Becker, Keiser, Dammeier, Frockt, Jayapal and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 3/24/15, 3/31/15 [DPA], 2/19/16, 2/24/16 [DPA];

Appropriations: 4/6/15, 4/7/15 [DPA(HCW)], 2/27/16, 2/29/16 [DPA(APP w/o HCW)].

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by Committee)

  • Requires the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Health Care Authority to collaborate to identify goals and benchmarks while also developing individual agency plans to reduce the incidence of diabetes, improve diabetes care, and control the complications associated with diabetes.

  • Requires the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Health Care Authority to each submit biennial reports on diabetes.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Jinkins, Johnson, Moeller, Robinson, Rodne, Short, Tharinger and Van De Wege.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Diabetes is a group of diseases in which the body's inability to produce or utilize insulin results in high blood glucose levels over a prolonged period of time. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin and is usually diagnosed at an early age. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, the body is unable to utilize insulin properly, or both. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women.

Complications of uncontrolled diabetes include ketoacidosis, kidney disease, heart disease, eye disease, and damaged nerves in the extremities. Although there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be managed through lifestyle changes, management of blood glucose levels, and medication, including insulin.

In 2013 the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and the Health Care Authority (HCA) were required to report on state efforts to prevent and control diabetes. The report was required to include:

In 2014 the DOH, the DSHS, and the HCA published the Diabetes Action Report. The report included the following recommended goals:

In the 2015 Operating Budget, the DOH, the DSHS, and the HCA were required to collaboratively submit another report on diabetes to the Governor and the Legislature by June 30, 2017. The report must include:

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Summary of Amended Bill:

The DOH, the DSHS, and the HCA must collaborate to identify goals and benchmarks while also developing individual agency plans to reduce the incidence of diabetes, improve diabetes care, and control the complications associated with diabetes. The agencies must each submit a biennial report to the Governor and the Legislature beginning December 31, 2019. The report must include:

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The amended bill delays the first biennial report from December 31, 2017, to December 31, 2019.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 26, 2016.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The 2014 Diabetes Action Report was the platinum standard and was an important text for the state to move forward. This bill puts the report permanently in statute. This bill takes full advantage of the Diabetes Action Report and will provide a stable way to analyze the fiscal impact diabetes has on state programs. This bill provides public policy solutions, saves the state money, and helps people with diabetes.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Michael Transue, Novo Nordisk; and Layra Keller, American Diabetes Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Health Care & Wellness. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Cody, Dent, Fitzgibbon, Haler, Hansen, Harris, Hudgins, S. Hunt, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Pettigrew, Robinson, Sawyer, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Tharinger, Van Werven and Walkinshaw.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Condotta and Taylor.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Manweller.

Staff: Erik Cornellier (786-7116).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Health Care & Wellness:

The Appropriations Committee recommended that the bill be null and void unless it is funded in the operating budget.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 26, 2016.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The legislation takes the diabetes report from 2014 and continues the work. The state needs to schedule the reviews and assessments. The bill has a wide range of support groups. Diabetes will provide a sizeable fiscal challenge. The bill allows the state to take steps on a biennial basis to deal with the challenge. The fiscal impacts will be recouped through future savings from implementing recommendations from the reports. The amendment from the House Health Care and Wellness Committee is helpful.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Michael Transue, Novo Nordisk.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.