SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5854

BYSenators Hayner, Newhouse, Barr, Wojahn, Vognild, Bailey, Metcalf, Bender, Conner, Nelson, Gaspard, Madsen and Johnson

Prohibiting the exclusion of inmates from receiving care under the limited casualty program.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Kris Zabriskie (786-7439)

                  February 28, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE &N CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Inmates of county or city jails who are otherwise eligible for medical care under the "limited casualty" program are ineligible because of their status as inmates.  The limited casualty program includes the "medically needy" and the "medically indigent" programs. 

The "medically needy" program is federally-matched and covers persons who are aged, blind, or disabled, or families with children whose family income/resources are too high to qualify as "categorically needy".

The "medically indigent" program covers a restricted scope of medical care for certain persons who are not eligible for other programs.  Care is limited to treatment for acute and emergent conditions.  The "medically indigent" program is funded solely with state funds.  Persons must meet a $500/year deductible in addition to the spend-down requirements before state coverage will be provided.  Payment rates for hospital services are reduced and represent about one-third of the actual hospital charges for these services.

It is likely that jail inmates would become "medically indigent" recipients.  Harborview served 243 inmates out of an inmate population from King County of an average daily jail population of 1,601.6 from June 1987 through May 1988.  The Department of Social and Health Services estimates that all of these admissions would be eligible under the limited casualty program.

SUMMARY:

Jail inmates are no longer ineligible for medical care under the limited casualty program, because of their status as inmates.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Ron Kero, DSHS Medical Assistance (con); Dick Dorsett, Pierce County (pro); Kurt Sharar, Washington State Association of Counties (pro); Andrea Dahl, AWC (pro); Mike Redman, WAPA (pro); Gary Burleson, Mason County Prosecuting Attorney (pro)