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: Senators Prentice, Patterson and Swecker.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/21/02, 2/25/02 [DP].
|
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
$All hospital districts will be able to enter into interlocal agreements and contracts with other hospital districts.
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Darneille, Edwards and Ruderman.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Alexander and Skinner.
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 change will allow all public hospital districts to improve efficiency and hold down costs.
Testimony Against: This change could allow urban hospital districts to engage in activities that may be prohibited by state and federal antitrust statutes.
Testified: (In support) Lisa Thatcher, Association of Public Hospital Districts; and Brad Berg, Foster, Pepper & Spretelman.
(Oppose) Scott Plack, Group Health; Nancy Wildermuth, Pacificare and Regence; and Rick Wickman, Premera Blue Cross.