Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services |
HB 1795
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning the scope and costs of the diabetes epidemic in Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Jinkins, Schmick, Morrell, Harris, Green, Hope, Pollet and Bergquist.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/25/13
Staff: Erik Cornellier (786-7116).
Background:
The Health Care Authority (HCA) provides health care coverage to approximately 1.2 million low-income Washington residents through various state and federal programs including Medicaid, Apple Health for Kids, Medical Care Services, the Basic Health Program, and the Washington Health Program. Through the Public Employees Benefits Board, the HCA also provides medical, dental, life, and long-term disability coverage to eligible state and higher-education employees.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers various social services programs that provide protection, comfort, food assistance, cash assistance, and other services. Programs and administrations within the DSHS include: aging and disability, alcohol and substance abuse, child support, children's services, deaf and hard of hearing, juvenile rehabilitation, mental health, research and data analysis, residential habilitation centers, special commitment center, state hospitals, and vocational rehabilitation.
The Department of Health (DOH) administers various programs and services that promote public health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, newborn screening, professional licensing, and public education. The DOH's Diabetes Prevention and Control program works with partners to help prevent diabetes through policy, environmental, and system changes in communities.
Summary of Bill:
The HCA, DSHS, and DOH must collaborate to identify goals and benchmarks for reducing the incidence of diabetes in Washington, improving diabetes care, and controlling the medical complications and financial impacts associated with diabetes. Each agency must also develop individual agency plans to accomplish those goals.
The agencies must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2014, and every other year after that. The reports must include the financial impacts of diabetes on agency programs and individuals enrolled in the programs, an assessment of the benefits of current programs aimed at preventing and controlling diabetes, a description of the level of agency coordination on diabetes, detailed action plans and budget recommendations, and an estimate of the possible costs or savings from implementing the action plans.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 23, 2013.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.