FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2526

                          C 94 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Including chiropractic care in health services available under industrial insurance.

By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Heavey, Chandler, Anderson, Wineberry, Campbell, Casada, Chappell, Morris, Kessler, Dorn, King, Carlson, Conway, G. Cole, R. Meyers, Hansen, Pruitt, Bray, J. Kohl, Jones, Leonard, Holm, Moak, Eide, Roland, Scott, Grant, Quall, Kremen, Schoesler, Talcott and Springer).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:  Under the industrial insurance law, an injured  worker is entitled to proper and necessary medical care from a physician of the worker's choice.  The Department of Labor and Industries is charged with supervising the provision of this medical care.

In 1993, legislation was enacted that included chiropractic care within the department's supervisory and audit authority. The legislation also authorizes chiropractors to conduct special medical examinations for determining permanent disabilities in consultation with physicians. The Governor vetoed provisions specifying that chiropractic services are available to injured workers in appropriate cases and that workers could be required to undergo chiropractic examinations in certain circumstances.

Summary:  The health services that are available to an injured worker include chiropractic care and evaluation, subject to the requirements of the industrial insurance law.

Injured workers may be required by the Department of Labor and Industries to undergo chiropractic examination to assist the department in analyzing claims.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  94 0

Senate 48 0

Effective:  June 9, 1994