H-250                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 121

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives K. Wilson, Lux and Braddock

Read first time 1/19/87 and referred to Committee on Health Care.

AN ACT Relating to advertising by insurers providing health coverage; and adding a new section to chapter 48.05 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 48.05 RCW to read as follows:

          The insurance commissioner shall promulgate rules requiring insurers which are authorized to insure for hospital or medical care under chapter 48.20, 48.21, or 48.44 RCW in the state of Washington or a health maintenance organization under chapter 48.46 RCW to record and report their advertising expenses in the state of Washington.  The commissioner may adopt rules limiting the amount of such expenditures in this state if the commissioner finds that the expenditures are affecting the quality or price of the coverage provided.  The commissioner shall adopt rules prohibiting any advertising which is intended or has a tendency to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons and so be harmful or injurious to the public welfare or safety.