HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2612

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the human immunodeficiency virus insurance program.

Brief Description:  Transferring the human immunodeficiency virus insurance program to the department of health.

Sponsors:  Representatives Darneille, Upthegrove, Cody, Miloscia and Lysen; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/1/02, 2/7/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Transfers the human immunodeficiency virus insurance program from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Department of Health.

$Authorizes insurance coverage through either group or individual health insurance policies.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Benson, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services operates the acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome insurance program which ensures health insurance coverage for persons with human immunodeficiency syndrome who meet department eligibility standards, and are eligible for ?continuation coverage@ under federal COBRA standards, or group insurance policies.

Summary of  Bill:

Responsibility for operating the program which ensures health insurance coverage for persons with human immunodeficiency virus, who meet eligibility requirements and are eligible for ?continuation coverage@ under federal COBRA standards, is transferred from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Department of Health.  The department is authorized to ensure health insurance coverage either through group or individual health insurance policies.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2002.

Testimony For:  The Department of Health administers several programs for people with HIV and AIDS.  It makes good sense to consolidate all programs for people with HIV and AIDS in a single state agency.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Raleigh Watts, Department of Health; Chuck Kuehn, Lifelong AIDS Alliance; Mark Garrett, Evergreen Health Insurance Program Client Advocate; and Karen Clay, Washington Health Foundation.