HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6359
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 Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to creating regulation exemptions for rural health clinics providing services in a designated home health shortage area.
Brief Description: Creating regulation exemptions for rural health clinics providing services in a designated home health shortage area.
Sponsors: Senators Short and Randall.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/27/20 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Bill (As Amended by Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Chopp, Davis, DeBolt, Harris, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Stonier, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
I. In-Home Services Agencies.
An in-home services agency administers or provides home health, home care, or hospice services to individuals in a place of temporary or permanent residence. In-home services agencies are licensed by the Department of Health (DOH).
A person or entity is not required to be licensed as an in-home services agency under a variety of circumstances. For example, a family member or person who provides services without compensation is exempt from licensure. Certain types of licensed facilities are also exempt when providing services to persons residing in the facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and developmental disability residential programs.
II. Certificate of Need.
Before a health care facility, including hospices, hospice care centers, hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, kidney disease treatment centers, ambulatory surgical facilities, and home health agencies, may be constructed, renovated, or sold, the DOH must issue a certificate of need. When determining whether to issue a certificate of need, the DOH must consider a variety of factors, including:
the population's need for the service;
the availability of less costly or more effective methods of providing the service;
the financial feasibility and probable impact of the proposal on the cost of health care in the community;
the need and availability of services and facilities for physicians and patients in the community;
the efficiency and appropriateness of the use of existing similar services and facilities; and
improvements in the financing and delivery of health services that contain costs and promote quality assurance.
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Summary of Amended Bill:
A rural health clinic providing health services in a home health shortage area declared by the Department of Health is exempt from:
licensure as an in-home services agency; and
certificate of need requirements.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The amended bill makes a nonsubstantive technical change by moving the exemption from certificate of need requirements into the RCW section dealing with certificate of need exemptions.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: 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 bill is identical to its companion, which passed unanimously. Similar support is requested for this bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.