S-3681               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6126

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senators Deccio and Johnson

Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 1/8/88.  Read first time 1/11/88 and referred to Committee on Health Care & Corrections.

AN ACT Relating to coordination of health care services; adding a new section to chapter 18.73 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 70.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 70.46 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that the increased coordination among regional and local providers of health care services can result in a more effective delivery of health care services.  This is particularly true in rural areas of the state which currently face the loss of basic health care services due to factors such as the possible closure of rural hospitals, the inability to recruit and retain qualified health care providers, and diminishing health system revenues.  Rural communities need to consider restructuring the delivery of health care services to insure continued availability of adequate community-based health care.  Coordination among providers is essential to facilitate the planning necessary to maintain a viable health care delivery system within rural areas of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 18.73 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature encourages the emergency medical services planning and service regions under RCW 18.73.060 to coordinate with public hospital districts under chapter 70.44 RCW and health districts under chapter 70.46 RCW in the region for the planning and delivery of health services.  Coordination with private health care providers and other local social service agencies is also encouraged.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 70.44 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature encourages public hospital districts to coordinate with the emergency medical services planning and service regions under RCW 18.73.060 and health districts under chapter 70.46 RCW for the planning and delivery of health services in the region.  Coordination with private health care providers and other local social service agencies is also encouraged.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 70.46 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature encourages health districts to coordinate with the emergency medical services planning and service regions under RCW 18.73.060 and public hospital districts under chapter 70.44 RCW for the planning and delivery of health services in the region.  Coordination with private health care providers and other local social service agencies is also encouraged.