FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1299

C 276 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Providing for uniform policies for health services purchasing by state purchased health care programs.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Sommers, Morrell, Schual-Berke and Dickerson).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

The Health Care Authority (Authority) is responsible for studying all state-purchased health care, alternative health care delivery systems, and strategies for the procurement of health care services, and for making recommendations aimed at minimizing the financial burden which health care poses on the state. The Authority is also expected to implement state initiatives, joint purchasing strategies, cost-control strategies, and techniques for efficient administration that have potential application to all state-purchased health services.

Summary:

The Health Care Authority is required to coordinate the development and implementation of uniform policies across all state-purchased health care programs related to purchasing, maximizing administrative efficiencies, improving quality of care, and reducing administrative burdens on participating health care providers. The policies will require uniform means of assessing health care services, monitoring several aspects of health services, developing common definitions of medical necessity, and exploring common disease and demand management strategies.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 92  0

Senate 49  0

Effective: July 27, 2003