S-2121

AN ACT Relating to early hearing loss detection, diagnosis, and intervention; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; creating new sections; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the period between birth and two to three years of age is the most valuable time for language development. If hearing impaired children are not identified early, it is difficult, if not impossible, for many of them to acquire the fundamental language, social, and cognitive skills that provide the foundation for later schooling and success in society. The legislature further finds that it has been estimated that over four hundred children will be born in Washington state with significant hearing loss. The average age at which children with hearing loss are first identified and begin intervention in Washington is eighteen months and is higher in rural areas. Only twenty-five percent of children with hearing loss in Washington are identified and are receiving services by three years of age. Unfortunately, this situation is made additionally difficult because we find that only children and families living in metropolitan areas have access to a wide range of services, including a variety of early intervention options. The legislature further finds that local communities want to improve their early detection, diagnosis, and intervention services for children with hearing loss and their families, but need technical assistance and guidance.

It is the intent of this act to promote the development of a pilot early hearing loss detection, diagnosis, and intervention system linked to community resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of health shall establish ten early hearing loss detection, diagnosis, and intervention pilot programs linked to community resources throughout Washington, including metropolitan and rural areas. The department of health early hearing loss detection, diagnosis, and intervention pilot programs shall ensure the following:

(1) All newborn infants shall be screened for hearing loss by three months of age in the area identified as the pilot program catchment area by the department of health;

(2) Screening should occur prior to hospital discharge at the time of birth, with coordination to screen home births;

(3) All infants who fail the screen shall be diagnosed for hearing loss by six months of age; and

(4) That appropriate intervention is provided to all infants who are diagnosed with significant hearing loss.

The department of health may receive gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources that are made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the pilot programs created in this section and spend gifts, grants, or endowments or income from the public or private sources according to their terms, unless the receipt of the gifts, grants, or endowments violates RCW 42.17.710.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department of health shall establish a state-wide advisory committee of consumers, and medical, audiology, and educational professionals to provide guidance and assistance in the design, development, and implementation of the pilot program created in section 2 of this act. The department of health in coordination with the advisory board shall: (1) Develop a strategy to identify best practices standards for the pilot program; (2) develop an educational component to inform the appropriate professional medical communities of the value of the pilot program; and (3) implement a system to evaluate the outcome of the pilot program based on performance standards.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department of health shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the progress of the pilot program created in section 2 of this act by January 1, 2000, and provide a final report by December 12, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The sum of four hundred ninety thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act.

(2) The sum of two hundred sixty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:

(1) For purposes of this section, "health carrier" or "carrier" means disability insurers regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, health care services contractors regulated under chapter 48.44 RCW, health maintenance organizations regulated under chapter 48.46 RCW, plans operating under the health care authority under chapter 41.05 RCW, the state health insurance pool operating under chapter 48.41 RCW, and insuring entities regulated under this chapter.

(2) Every health carrier that provides coverage for child birth services shall include as a part of its coverage hearing loss screening for newborns. Hearing loss screening services shall include:

(a) Screening for hearing loss for all newborn infants prior to discharge from the hospital, and by three months of age for all infants born at home;

(b) Diagnosis for all infants who are determined to have impaired hearing to take place by six months of age; and

(3) Every health carrier must provide notice to policyholders regarding the coverage required under this section. The notice must be in writing and must be transmitted at the earliest of the next mailing to the policyholder, the yearly summary of benefits sent to the policyholder, or January 1st of the next year following the effective date of this section.

(4) All health plans issued or renewed after July 1, 1999, are required to be in accordance with this section.