HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1403

BYRepresentatives Bristow, Brooks, Basich, Braddock, Jones, Chandler and Holm

Specifying eligibility of county and city inmates for medical care under the limited casualty program.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:Antonio Sanchez (786-7383)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The limited casualty program, established under title nineteen of the social security act, currently pays the departmentally- approved medical expenses for the qualified medically needy residing in skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded who are aged, blind or disabled.  Inmates of county or city jails are not specifically covered by the limited casualty program.

SUMMARY:

The limited casualty program is expanded to include the care of inmates in county or city jails.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 21, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Kurt Sharar, Washington Association of Counties and Washington Association of Cities.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ron Kero, DSHS.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill will clearly establish the financial responsibility for medical bills incurred by inmates of county and city jails. It will reduce the counties' and cities' financial burdens created by inmates needing hospitalization or outpatient health care.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      It will increase the state's expenditure for the limited casualty program.