SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6433
BYSenators Rinehart, Johnson, Moore, Deccio and von Reichbauer
Requiring health care insurance coverage for the food supplements necessary for the treatment of phenylketonuria.
Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1988
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6433 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators von Reichbauer, Chairman; West, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Kreidler, Moore, Sellar, Smitherman.
Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)
February 3, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 2, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Insurers are not required to provide coverage for the food supplements required in the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited disorder found in newborn children which prevents them from metabolizing an essential amino acid. If untreated, PKU children suffer severe mental and physical difficulties.
By taking a vitamin-enriched formula available without a doctor's prescription, the effects of PKU can be eliminated.
SUMMARY:
A disability insurance contract, group disability insurance contract, group contract for health care services or any group agreement for health care services delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after July 1, 1988, must provide coverage for the food supplements necessary for the treatment of PKU.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
The insurance commissioner is given rule making authority to establish requirements and exceptions for the required health care coverage.
The date after which a contract or agreement must provide the required coverage is changed to September 1, 1988.
An emergency clause is added making the act effective immediately.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none
Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Rinehart, prime sponsor (for); Scott Jarvis, Insurance Commissioner's office (for); Dr. Horace C. Thuline, DSHS (for); Dr. Ronald Scott, UW (for)