Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1358

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 Summary of Bill

Directs the Health Care Authority to adopt reimbursement standards for fire departments providing covered health care services to Medicaid clients who do not require ambulance transport to an emergency department.

Background:

Fire departments may establish community assistance referral and education services (CARES) programs. A CARES program provides community outreach and assistance to residents to improve population health and promote injury and illness prevention. A CARES program identifies members of the community who use the 911 system or emergency departments for nonemergency or nonurgent assistant calls. A CARES program connects residents with health care professionals, low-cost medication programs, and social services. A CARES program must measure reductions in the repeated use of the 911 system and any associated reductions in avoidable emergency department trips. Fire departments may fund CARES programs through grants and private gifts.

The term "fire departments" includes city and town fire departments, fire protection districts, regional fire protection service authorities, emergency medical service providers that levy a tax, and federally recognized Indian tribes.

The programs may hire health care professionals to perform the services. The health care professionals may include emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics if they are trained and certified to provide the service and they practice under the supervision and direction of a medical program director.

Summary of Bill:

The Health Care Authority must adopt reimbursement standards for fire departments providing covered health care services through a community assistance and referral education services (CARES) program to Medicaid clients who do not require ambulance transport to an emergency department. In addition to grants and private gifts, fire departments may fund a CARES program through the establishment and collection of reasonable charges, if approved by resolution or ordinance.