H-0192.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1496

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Murray, Alexander, Cody, Hankins, McIntire, Skinner, Romero and Kenney

Read first time 01/27/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Distributing health care coverage enrollment information.

    AN ACT Relating to the distribution of health care coverage enrollment information; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Although Washington offers comprehensive health coverage to low-income children, as many as ninety thousand eligible children are not enrolled.  Children's access to timely and appropriate health care is essential to their ability to receive a good education, become productive workers, and be empowered to help fellow citizens in need.  For that reason, it is paramount that as many eligible children as possible be enrolled in available state health care programs.

    (2) No later than September 1, 1999, the secretary of social and health services, the administrator of the state health care authority, and the superintendent of public instruction shall implement a children's health care outreach program to inform children and their parents of the availability of the medical assistance program and the basic health plan.  Outreach information shall explain, in an easy to understand presentation, at least:  Eligibility standards; program benefits; and the importance and advantages of a child's enrollment.  Outreach information must be available in the English and Spanish languages and may be available in other languages if deemed appropriate by the agencies.  Prior to implementation, the agencies shall analyze available research on reasons why eligible children are not enrolled and review existing outreach programs deemed successful.

    (3) The agencies shall seek and are authorized to receive private and public gifts or grants that would assist in the funding of the outreach program.

    (4) The agencies shall submit to the appropriate committees of the legislature an outline of the program's design by August 1, 1999, and a brief status report of the program's implementation by August 1, 2000.

                            --- END ---