H-4447              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2672

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Jones, D. Sommers, Wolfe, Morris, Cole, Chandler, Nutley, Sprenkle, Moyer and Brekke)

Read first time 2/2/90.

AN ACT Relating to medical care services limited to medication for former recipients of general assistance benefits; and amending RCW 74.09.035.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 19, chapter 6, Laws of 1981 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 12, chapter 406, Laws of 1987 and RCW 74.09.035 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) To the extent of available funds, medical care services may be provided to recipients of general assistance, and recipients of alcohol and drug addiction services provided under chapter 74.50 RCW, in accordance with medical eligibility requirements established by the department.  Medical care services limited to medication, including physician services necessary for prescribing and monitoring the appropriateness of said medications may be provided to former recipients of general assistance to the extent provided in this section.

          (2) Determination of the amount, scope, and duration of medical care services shall be limited to coverage as defined by the department, except that adult dental, and routine foot care shall not be included unless there is a specific appropriation for these services.  The amount, duration, and scope of medical care services limited to medication shall be limited to prescription drugs which, in the opinion of a physician, are medically necessary for the continued control of a  medical condition which was substantially the basis for the former general assistance recipient's incapacity.

          (3) The department shall establish standards of assistance and resource and income exemptions, which may include deductibles and co-insurance provisions.  In addition, the department may include a prohibition against the voluntary assignment of property or cash for the purpose of qualifying for assistance.

          (4) Residents of skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded who are eligible for medical care services shall be provided medical services to the same extent as provided to those persons eligible under the medical assistance program.

          (5) Payments made by the department under this ((program)) section shall be the limit of expenditures for medical care services solely from state funds.

          (6) Eligibility for medical care services shall commence with the date of certification for general assistance or the date of eligibility for alcohol and drug addiction services provided under chapter 74.50 RCW.  Eligibility for medical care services limited to medication shall commence on the first day of the month following the month in which the recipient's eligibility for general assistance ended.