HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1911

 

 

 

As Passed House:

March 12, 2001

 

Title:  An act relating to insurance coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies.

 

Brief Description:  Requiring coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies.

 

Sponsors:  By Representatives Reardon, Cody, Santos and Ballasiotes.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity: 

Health Care:  2/20/01, 2/22/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/12/01, 98-0.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

 

$Health plans for public employees and employer-sponsored group policies will provide coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies for covered individuals, regardless of age.

 

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Conway, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.

 

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

 

Background:

 

Currently, health plans for state employees and employer-sponsored group policies provide coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies for covered individuals age 6 and under.  A recent sunrise report by the Department of Health recommended that the age limitation for coverage of neurodevelopmental therapies be dropped.

 

 

Summary of Bill: 

 

Health plans for public employees and employer-sponsored group policies will provide coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies for covered individuals, regardless of age.

 

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  Insurance coverage of neurodevelopmental therapies should be continued beyond a child=s sixth birthday.  Schools are not equipped to provide all these services for older children.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  (In support) Representative Reardon, prime sponsor; Leanne Roe; Kathy Stewart, Washington Occupational Therapy Association; Becky Gibson, Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children; Steve Boruchowitz, Department of Health; and Christie Perkins, Washington State Special Education Coalition.

 

(In support with concerns) Scott Boettcher; and Kristin Hennessey..