HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5829
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to cooperative activities by local governments.
Brief Description: Relating to cooperative activities by local governments.
Sponsors: By Senators Prentice, Patterson and Swecker.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 3/27/01, 3/29/01 [DP].
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Brief Summary of Bill
$All hospital districts will be able to enter into interlocal agreements and contracts with other hospital districts.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Conway, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine and Ruderman.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, McMorris and Pennington.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786‑7146).
Background:
Currently, only rural hospital districts are allowed by statute to enter into interlocal agreements and contracts with other rural hospital districts. The interlocal agreements may include combined purchases and allocations of medical equipment, allocation of health care services among various districts= facilities, joint agreements and contracts for health care service delivery and payment, and other related cooperative arrangements.
Summary of Bill:
All hospital districts are allowed to enter into interlocal agreements and contracts with other hospital districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill is needed to allow all hospital districts to operate efficiently and effectively.
Testimony Against: This bill raises anti-trust concerns.
Testified: (In support) Bradley Berg, Association of Washington Public Hospital Officials; and Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association.
(Concerns) Mimi Haley and Scott Plack, Association of Washington Healthcare Plans.