HOUSE BILL REPORT

HCR 4406

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Brief Description:  Establishing a blue ribbon commission on medical care cost and access.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schual‑Berke, Campbell, Pennington, G. Chandler, DeBolt, Mulliken, Grant, McMorris, Edwards, McIntire, Cody, Morris, D. Schmidt, Poulsen, Doumit, H. Sommers, Darneille, Barlean, Cox, Kagi, Tokuda, Linville, Ogden, Edmonds, Wood, Santos, Kessler, Simpson and Kenney.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/20/01, 2/22/01 [DPS].

  Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Creates a blue ribbon commission on medical care cost and access.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill 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:

The health care system is experiencing several challenges.  Rapidly increasing health care costs and related efforts to control costs are impacting consumers, the medical care work force, and the financial viability of medical facilities.

Summary of  Substitute Bill:

A blue ribbon commission on health care cost and access is created.  The commission will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the health care financing and delivery system.  The assessment will include health care work force issues, the financial viability of health care facilities, and the role of the public and private sector in providing access to appropriate, cost-effective, and quality health care.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The scope of the commission inquiry is expanded from the medical care delivery system to the health care delivery system.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Testimony For:  The health care delivery system is in crisis.  A comprehensive review of the system is needed to develop a proposal to correct deficiencies in the health care delivery system.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Mark Johnson, National Federation of Independent Business; Nancy Auer, Washington State Medical Association; Glen Hudson, Association of Washington Business; Jerry Reilly, Washington Health Care Association; and Harry Steinmetz, Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging.