SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8022

BYSenators Madsen, Johnson, Gaspard, Rasmussen and Murray

Paying medical treatment for children of military parents.

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Army has designated Fort Lewis as a compassionate assignment because of an agreement that military families with handicapped children will receive coverage for specialized medical attention provided by local civilian hospitals.  Those hospitals include Good Samaritan in Puyallup and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma.  Three public agencies, the Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), Medicaid, and Coordinated Children's Services, a Washington State agency, are unable to resolve questions surrounding payment for the cost of this treatment.

In October of 1989, one of the providers that care for the handicapped children of military parents indicated that it would no longer furnish care because of $50,000 in unpaid bills owed to the hospital by these three agencies.  The ability of handicapped children of military families to receive care has been impeded, and local hospitals are in doubt as to who is responsible for payment of treatment.

SUMMARY:

The Senate and the House of Representatives petition the President and Congress of the United States to resolve the problem of the payment for treatment of handicapped military dependents by requiring CHAMPUS to assume full financial responsibility for these expenses.  Congress is requested to provide appropriations necessary to pay these costs.

It is resolved that copies of the memorial be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the state of Washington.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested