SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5378

BYHealth Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn and Kreidler)

Licensing laboratories conducting prenatal test.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 22, 1987; February 25, 1987; March 2, 1987; January 20, 1988; January 25, 1988

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5378 be substituted therefor,  and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, Smith, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  January 27, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988; February 5, 1988

Majority Report:  Without recommendation.

      Signed by Senators Bauer, Deccio, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Jan Sharar (786-7715)

                  February 8, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Scientific advancements in the area of genetic diagnosis have resulted in the development of prenatal tests for identifying congenital and heritable disorders.  Some tests now available require substantial quality control measures in order to assure accuracy.  Counseling for both physicians and patients is often necessary to fully understand test results and options available to address problems identified by the tests.  One example of these tests is the maternal serum alpha-feto protein (AFP) screening test.  State mandated quality control standards for laboratories performing these tests do not exist. 

SUMMARY:

A data reporting program is created for laboratories performing prenatal tests.  The program is established in the Department of Social and Health Service (DSHS).  The Board of Health is directed to review prenatal tests and recommend which shall be included in the data reporting program. DSHS shall enumerate these tests in rule.  An advisory committee is formed to assist the department in the development of laboratory reporting rules.  All persons licensed to provide prenatal care in the state are directed to provide information about the use and availability of prenatal tests to pregnant women within time limits prescribed by DSHS.

Effective January 1, 1989, all new or renewed third party group contracts for disability, health care services and health maintenance organizations that cover hospital, medical or surgical expenses and provide pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions to enrollees shall offer benefits for prenatal diagnosis of congenital disorders if such services are deemed medically necessary by meeting standards set in rule by the Board of Health.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

Effective January 1, 1990, every group disability contract, health care services contract and health maintenance organization agreement covering hospital, medical or surgical expenses and which provided pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions to enrollees shall offer benefits for prenatal diagnosis of congenital disorders if such services are deemed necessary by the insurance contractor or health maintenance organization in accordance with standards set in rule by the Board of Health.

The act shall take effect on December 31, 1989.

The laboratory reporting program shall expire on June 30, 1993, unless extended for an additional period of time.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS: Joan Gaumer, Blue Cross; David Shurtleff, M.D., UW; Cynthia Shurtleff, March of Dimes; Terri Brown; Mary Jo Kahler, Human Life of Washington; Sonnia Bean; Margaret Terrell

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one