HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2672

BYRepresentatives Jones, D. Sommers, Wolfe, Morris, Cole, Chandler, Nutley, Sprenkle, Moyer and Brekke

Authorizing medication benefits for former recipients of general assistance.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sayan, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Leonard, Hargrove, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:Dave Knutson (786-7146)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Hine, Inslee, May, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Maureen Morris (786-7152)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FEBRUARY 3, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Recipients of general assistance who lose their eligibility are not eligible to continue receiving medication related to their previous disability.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Former general assistance recipients are eligible to receive medication, prescribed and monitored by a physician, necessary to control the medical condition that caused their initial eligibility for the program.  The coverage of medication will begin in the month following termination from the general assistance program.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Physician services necessary for prescribing and monitoring medications provided to former general assistance recipients are included as a covered service by the general assistance program.

CHANGES PROPOSED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (SECOND SUBSTITUTE BILL):  The second substitute bill requires eligibility reviews every six months.  To remain eligible, an individual must have an income below 200 percent of poverty and not have insurance or other coverage for prescription drugs.  The second substitute also sunsets the act on July 1, 1993 and requires a report from the Department of Social & Health Services on the effectiveness of the program.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Human Services)  Dinmen Cleary, Puget Sound Legal Assistance Foundation; and Ron Kero, Department of Social and Health Services.

(Appropriations)  Ron Kero, Department of Social & Health Services, Division of Medical Assistance.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Human Services)  No one.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Human Services)  If medication is provided to former general assistance recipients after they are terminated from the program, they will be able to stay off the program in the future.

(Appropriations)  The bill is a good concept and should be tried.  Some limit in the form of a sunset clause or limit on types of conditions should be included.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Human Services)  None.

(Appropriations)  None.