Title: An act relating to basic health plan enrollment of individuals participating in community-based programs established to provide access to health care services for uninsured persons.

Brief Description: Modifying basic health plan preexisting condition limitation requirements.

Sponsors: Representatives Williams, Morrell, Moeller, Hasegawa, Cody, Simpson, Green, Ormsby and Schual-Berke.

Brief History:

Health Care: 1/19/06, 1/31/06 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Appleton, Clibborn, Green, Lantz, Moeller and Schual-Berke.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Bailey and Condotta.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

The Basic Health Plan (Plan) has a preexisting condition waiting period of nine months. A person without health insurance who has a preexisting condition and applies for coverage through the Plan is required to wait the entire period before receiving treatment for the preexisting condition.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Applicants for the Plan who do not have health insurance may credit a period of continued participation in a community-based program that provides access to health services for uninsured persons toward the preexisting condition limit. To qualify, the person must continually participate in the community-based program for at least three months before submitting a Plan application. Their participation in the community-based program will be credited, month for month, against the preexisting condition limit.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Provides a more complete definition of an eligible community-based organization and requires a report to the Legislature on the impacts of the legislation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

(With concerns) The definition of a community-based organization is vague. This proposal could result in a fiscal impact to the Plan.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (With concerns) Richard Onizuka, Health Care Authority.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.