HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5121
As Passed House:
March 20, 2023
Title: An act relating to the joint select committee on health care and behavioral health oversight.
Brief Description: Establishing the joint select committee on health care and behavioral health oversight.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senator Cleveland).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/28/23, 3/10/23 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/20/23, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Extends the expiration date of the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight from December 31, 2022, until December 31, 2026, and renames it the Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 17 members:Representatives Riccelli, Chair; Bateman, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hutchins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barnard, Bronoske, Davis, Graham, Harris, Macri, Maycumber, Mosbrucker, Orwall, Simmons, Stonier, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Ingrid Lewis (786-7293).
Background:

The Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight (Committee) was established in 2013.  Committee membership consists of the chairs of the Health Care Committees of both chambers, who must serve as cochairs; four additional members of the Senate, two each appointed by the leadership of the two largest political parties in the Senate; and four additional members of the House of Representatives, two each appointed by the leadership of the two largest political parties in the House of Representatives.  The Governor must be invited to appoint a liaison to the committee who must be a nonvoting member.

 

The Committee provides oversight between the Health Care Authority, the Health Benefit Exchange, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Department of Health, and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to ensure the entities are not duplicating efforts and are working towards a goal of increased quality of service which will lead to reduced costs to the health care consumer.  The Committee must coordinate with the Research and Analysis Division of DSHS to monitor health care cost trends.  The Committee must also, as necessary, propose legislation and budget recommendations that aids in their coordination of activities and that leads to better quality and cost savings.

 

The Committee expired on December 31, 2022.
Summary of Bill:

The expiration date of the Committee is extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2026.

 

The name of the Committee is changed to include behavioral health.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
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) The name change emphasizes the importance of behavioral health.  The health care landscape has evolved since the inception of the Committee, and this is a great opportunity to do an update reflecting this change.  The goal of the committee should be affordability, access, and quality for the health care system.
 

(Opposed) The taxpayers will be asked to fund this committee and there are other priorities that can be funded.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Jim Freeburg, Patient Coalition of Washington.
(Opposed) Laurie Layne.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.