HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5903

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to increasing the license surcharge for the impaired physician program.

Brief Description:  Changing physician license fees.

Sponsors:  By Senators Winsley, Franklin, Costa and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  3/29/01 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Raises the $25 annual surcharge on physician licenses to no more than $35 to fund the Impaired Physicians Program.

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:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

A statutory surcharge of $25 is added to a licensing fee or license renewal fee of physicians for financing the Impaired Physician Program.  The Medical Quality Assurance Commission is required by law to enter into a contract with a professional entity which provides evaluation and treatment services to physicians impaired as a result of chemical abuse or mental illness to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to their patients.

Summary of  Bill:

The statutory surcharge of $25 for financing the Impaired Physician Program is raised to no more than $35.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Raises in the surcharge for funding the impaired physician program are necessary to provide needed services to impaired physicians.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Winsley, prime sponsor; and Carl Nelson, Washington State Medical Association.