SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1074

BYHouse Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, Walker, Winsley, Leonard, Cole, Hankins, S. Wilson, Ferguson, Nutley, Scott, Belcher, Anderson, Basich, Dellwo, Spanel, Braddock, Brough, Horn, Todd, Nelson, Brekke, Rector, Appelwick, Hine, Heavey, Baugher, Kremen, Cooper, Zellinsky, K. Wilson, Wood, Rayburn, Jesernig, Jacobsen, R. Fisher, R. King, Rust, Pruitt, Wang, Grant, Jones, Moyer, Cantwell, Locke, Inslee, H. Myers,  G. Fisher, Morris, Patrick, Miller, Wolfe, O'Brien, Rasmussen, Walk, May, Doty, Phillips, Betrozoff and Ballard)

Requiring health insurance to cover mammograms.

House Committe on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989; March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators von Reichbauer, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; McCaslin, McMullen, Moore, Rasmussen, Smitherman, West.

Senate Staff:Bev Tweddle (786-7403)

                  March 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Presently disability insurers, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations and health care plans administered by the state provide for mammograms if they are prescribed for the purpose of diagnosing breast cancer.  However, some insurers do not provide coverage for mammograms if it is part of a complete physical and is being prescribed for preventative purposes.

SUMMARY:

As of January 1, 1990 each individual or group disability insurance policy, health care service contract, health maintenance agreement and state administered health plan shall provide benefits for mammograms recommended by a physician whether such recommendation is because of suspected breast cancer or as an early detection or preventative measure.

Policy or contract provisions that are applicable to other benefits such as deductible and copayment are allowed.  Medicare supplement policies are excluded.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 28, 1989

Effective Date:January 1, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Policies or contracts covering specified diseases are exempt from having to provide coverage for mammograms.

The coverage required by the act will apply if mammograms are recommended by advanced registered nurse practitioners and licensed physician's assistants as well as those recommended by physicians.

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Representative Mary Margaret Haugen, original sponsor; Beatrice Olsen, Rony Royer, WSNA; Luci Phillips, SHCC; George Prescott and Michael Rhodes, American Family Life Assurance; Ann Simons, Washington State NOW; Jonelle Dedrick, Northwest Hospital and American Cancer Society; Jean M. Molinari, Breast Cancer Support Group; Pat Thibeaudeau, Washington Women United