SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6270

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 Care, February 4, 2016

Ways & Means, February 9, 2016

Title: An act relating to prenatal vitamin coverage.

Brief Description: Providing prenatal vitamin coverage.

Sponsors: Senators Becker, Keiser, Dammeier, Cleveland, Bailey, Fain, Parlette, Schoesler, Conway, Warnick, Frockt, Brown, O'Ban, Rolfes, McAuliffe, Mullet and Chase.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health Care: 1/21/16, 2/04/16 [DPS-WM, DNP].

Ways & Means: 2/08/16, 2/09/16 [DPS(HLTH)].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6270 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Becker, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Cleveland, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Baumgartner, Brown, Conway, Frockt, Jayapal, Keiser, Parlette and Rivers.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Angel.

Staff: Mich'l Needham (786-7442)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6270 as recommended by Committee on Health Care be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hill, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Hargrove, Ranking Member; Keiser, Assistant Ranking Member on the Capital Budget; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member, Operating; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Brown, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hewitt, Nelson, O'Ban, Padden, Parlette, Pedersen, Rolfes, Schoesler and Warnick.

Staff: Sandy Stith (786-7710)

Background: Research has shown that taking folic acid before getting pregnant and in early pregnancy lowers the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 milligrams of folic acid. Medicaid coverage for preventive and rehabilitative services must include clinical preventive services assigned a grade A or B by the Task Force.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): All of the Medicaid health programs offered by the Health Care Authority shall provide prenatal vitamins for all women that may become pregnant consistent with the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. The Medicaid programs that do not provide full comprehensive coverage, those not required by federal law to provide the benefit, and shall follow the task force recommendations in place upon the effective date of this section.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The amendment clarifies that programs not required to provide the full scope of Medicaid preventive benefits shall follow the current task force recommendations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Health Care): PRO: This is an important issue for the hospital association and this policy is consistent with the hospital safe delivery roadmap. Neural tube defects are some of the most common birth defects and research indicates many can be prevented by taking folic acid prior to pregnancy. Since approximately 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned it is important to take the folic acid prior to pregnancy. We strongly support making this available as broadly as possible.

Persons Testifying on Original Bill (Health Care): PRO: Ian Corbridge, WSHA.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying on Original Bill: No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute (Ways & Means): None.

Persons Testifying on First Substitute (Ways & Means): No one.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying on First Substitute: No one.