SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1722
BYHouse Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Ferguson, Dellwo, Bristow, Miller, Moyer and Lux)
Providing for insurance coverage for habilitative and rehabilitative services for dependent children.
House Committe on Financial Institutions & Insurance
Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators von Reichbauer, Chairman; West, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Moore, Rasmussen, Sellar, Smitherman.
Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)
March 2, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 23, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Health insurance policies, health care contracts, and health maintenance agreements that provide coverage for dependent children are required by law to provide coverage for newborn infants from and after the moment of birth. This coverage must include health care benefits for any congenital anomalies of infants. It is not specifically required that this coverage include payments for habilitative services.
SUMMARY:
The Insurance Commissioner is required to create a committee comprised of insurers and certain affected consumers to study coverage for congenital anomalies and make recommendations to the Legislature before the next legislative session. If the committee recommends that insurers provide a particular coverage, the State Health Coordinating Council must review this proposal.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
The membership of the committee to be created by the commissioner is not limited to only those specified.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Roy Ferguson, sponsor (for); Jeff Larsen, Washington Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities (for); Mel Sorensen, Washington Physicians Service; Catherine Borashkoff, Blue Cross Washington and Alaska (for); Paul Ritchie, Early Childhood Development Association (for)