HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 3154

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to technical and clarifying corrections to chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6067), Laws of 2000.

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions concerning health insurance.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cody, Parlette, Conway, Clements, Campbell, Cairnes and Wood.

Brief History:

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/4/00, 96-0.

Passed Senate:  3/6/00, 43-1.

Passed Legislature.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Makes clarifying, technical changes to individual health insurance legislation passed during the 2000 legislative session (E2SSB 6067).

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Under legislation passed during the 2000 legislative session, the Governor is authorized to appoint six of ten members of the Washington Health Insurance Pool Board.  The Governor must select board members from a list of three names submitted by various state-wide organizations.  Individuals who exhaust their health insurance coverage under the federal COBRA provisions are required to take a health questionnaire and be screened.  The basic health plan self-insurance reserve account is managed by the state investment board.  The board is not authorized to deduct investment and management fees from the account.  The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 establishes standards insurance carriers must comply with related to preexisting condition waiting periods.  Each state insurance program and health insurance carrier must comply with these minimum standards.

Summary of Bill:

If the Governor chooses not to select a name from the list submitted by the state-wide organizations representing the members of the board, the organizations will submit another list of names for the Governor's consideration.  Individuals exhausting their COBRA health coverage and applying for individual health insurance will not be subject to the health questionnaire.  The state investment board may deduct investment and management fees from the basic health plan self-insurance reserve account.  Health carriers, the Washington State Health Insurance Pool, and the new product offered by the health care authority will all comply with HIPAA standards relating to preexisting conditions when serving consumers applying for health coverage.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.