HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5071
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
April 1, 2011
Title: An act relating to providing licensed midwives and marriage and family therapists online access to the University of Washington health sciences library.
Brief Description: Providing licensed midwives and marriage and family therapists online access to the University of Washington health sciences library.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Pflug, Keiser, Conway, Kline, Parlette and Roach).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 3/10/11, 3/16/11 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/1/11, 92-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.
Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).
Background:
By law, the Department of Health (DOH) must charge fees to professionals licensed by the DOH. The fees must be based on the cost to the agency for the licensure of the activity or class of activities.
In 2007 a fee surcharge of up to $25 was added to license fees for certain health professionals to pay for online access to selected clinical resources through the University of Washington Health Sciences Library. Beginning January 1, 2009, these licensees were given access to vital clinical resources, medical journals, decision support tools, and evidence-based reviews of procedures, drugs, and devices.
This online access fee surcharge is charged to the license fee of physicians and osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, naturopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors, psychologists, registered nurses, optometrists, mental health counselors, clinical social workers, massage therapists, and East Asian medicine practitioners.
Summary of Bill:
Midwives and marriage and family therapists are added to the list of health professionals whose license fee is increased by up to $25 for online access to selected clinical resources at the University of Washington Health Sciences Library.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This program gives practitioners access to the latest information. Many midwives practice in rural areas where online access is the best way to keep up with clinical information. The more practitioners that participate in the program, the less expensive the system will become for all. To achieve the goal of providing evidence-based medicine, all practitioners should be in the program.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Amber Ulvenes, Midwives Association of Washington State; Melanie Stewart, Washington Mental Health Counselors Association and American Massage Therapy Association; and Lori Bielinski, Washington State Chiropractic Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.