SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2526

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 2, 1994

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

SPONSORS: 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

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sutherland and Vognild.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 21, 1994; February 23, 1994

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 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. 

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

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill is agreed to by the chiropractors and the Department of Labor and Industries and simply codifies existing policy of the department.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Steve Wehrly, Chiropractors (pro); Robby Stern, WA State Labor Council (pro); Wayne Lieb, WSTLA