HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2130

                       As Passed House

                       April 17, 1993

Title:  An act relating to the acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome insurance program.

Brief Description:  Modifying requirements for the acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome insurance program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Locke, Dellwo and Miller; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Appropriations, April 9, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, April 17, 1993, 95-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 20 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dorn; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Linville; Morton; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Sommers; Wang; and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Talcott.

Staff:  Maureen Morris (786-7152).

Background:  Federal legislation guarantees employees and dependents with health insurance coverage through employers the right to continue that coverage at their own expense.  This "continuation" coverage typically occurs after a resignation, layoff, or divorce would otherwise end the health benefit.

In 1989, the Legislature established a program to pay health insurance "continuation" premiums for individuals with Class IV HIV infection.  The program is targeted at low-income individuals.  Prior to the program, many individuals were compelled to exhaust their remaining assets in order to use the Department of Social and Health Services Medical Assistance Program.

The statute prohibits payments for anyone entering the program after June 30, 1991.  Individuals in the program on that date may continue in the program.

Savings of $1.4 million General Fund-State are assumed in the governor's proposed 1993-95 budget, dependent on the passage of this legislation.  These savings result from decreased demand for Medicaid coverage.

Summary of Bill:  The statutory restriction on new admissions to the HIV insurance program is removed.  The language defining the HIV is modified to be consistent with Centers for Disease Control definitions.

Fiscal Note:  Requested April 8, 1993.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.