SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5420
As of February 9, 2021
Title: An act relating to data reporting requirements for hospitals.
Brief Description: Concerning data reporting requirements for hospitals.
Sponsors: Senators Muzzall, Schoesler and Warnick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 2/10/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Temporarily prohibits state agencies from imposing new hospital reporting requirements not related to COVID-19 until December 31, 2022, or until the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Staff: Ricci Crinzi (786-7253)
Background:

The Department of Health licenses and regulates acute care and behavioral health hospitals.  Hospitals are required to report to state agencies on a variety of items including adverse events, unprofessional conduct, events that affect the operation and maintenance of the facility, certain communicable diseases, healthcare associated infections, as well as financial, discharge, and admission data.

 

The Health Care Cost Transparency Board is responsible for the analysis of total health care expenditures in Washington, identifying trends in health care cost growth, and establishing a health care cost growth benchmark.  The board shall provide analysis of the factors impacting these trends in health care cost growth and, after review and consultation with identified entities, shall identify those health care providers and payers exceeding the health care cost growth benchmark.
Summary of Bill:

Until December 31, 2022, or until the end of the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, whichever is later, the Department of Health, the Health Care Authority, or any other state agency may not establish by rule, or otherwise, any new requirement for a licensed hospital to report data or information except as specifically required for COVID-19 reporting.  This limitation on establishing new data and information reporting requirements includes data or information related to the Health Care Cost Transparency Board.  The Department of Health may establish new data and information reporting requirements reasonably necessary to address the COVID-19 pandemic for patient care and vaccines.


Licensed hospitals must continue to report on existing data and information reporting requirements to the Department of Health, the Health Care Authority, or any other state agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.