FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2410

                                   C 25 L 90

BYRepresentatives Anderson, Wolfe, Prentice, Brooks, Locke, Scott, Miller, Wood, Wineberry and Brekke

Extending medical assistance hospice benefits through the end of this biennium.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Hospice care refers to a range of care and assistance to the patient and family, which alleviates the physical, emotional, and spiritual discomfort associated with death and dying.

In 1983, the federal government authorized a Medicare hospice benefit.  In that same year, the Washington state Legislature established a mandatory insurance offering for a hospice benefit.

In 1986, hospice benefits were made a permanent part of the medicare system and states were also allowed to include hospice as part of their Medicaid package.  In 1989, Washington state enacted legislation that allowed hospice Medicaid benefits on a pilot basis subject to available funding.  The Department of Health was required to review and report on the cost effectiveness of the program by December 20, 1989. The report recommended continuation of the benefit until the end of the biennium, however cost data was lacking because limited participation resulted in insufficient information for analysis.

The hospice Medicaid benefit is scheduled to terminate on April 1, 1990, unless extended by legislation.

SUMMARY:

Medicaid hospice benefits will continue through the current biennium and are scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1991.  The Department of Social and Health Services is required to provide the Legislature with a report indicating the costs of providing Medicaid hospice services by December 20, 1990.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 94   0

      Senate    46     0

EFFECTIVE:March 13, 1990