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SEVENTY-FIRST DAY
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MORNING SESSION
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House Chamber, Olympia, Monday, March 20, 1995
The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Horn presiding). The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.
The flag was escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, Pages John Laney and Chris Kattenhorn. Prayer was offered by Reverend Francis E. George, Catholic Diocese of Yakima.
Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the fifth order of business.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
March 16, 1995
HB 1262 Prime Sponsor, Representative Dyer: Making changes to comprehensive health care coverage. Reported by Committee on Health Care
MAJORITY recommendation: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Campbell; Casada; Crouse; Sherstad and Skinner.
MINORITY recommendation: Without recommendation. Signed by Representatives Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway and Kessler.
Voting Yea: Representatives Backlund, Campbell, Casada, Crouse, Dyer, Hymes, Sherstad and Skinner.
Voting Nay: Representatives Cody, Conway, Dellwo and Kessler.
Excused: Representative Morris.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
March 17, 1995
SB 5083 Prime Sponsor, Oke: Changing the composition of the veterans affairs advisory committee. Reported by Committee on Government Operations
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Reams, Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; L. Thomas, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chopp; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; D. Schmidt; Sommers; Van Luven and Wolfe.
Voting Yea: Representatives Chopp, R. Fisher, Goldsmith, Hargrove, Honeyford, Hymes, Mulliken, Reams, Rust, D. Schmidt, Scott, Sommers, L. Thomas, Van Luven and Wolfe.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
March 16, 1995
SB 5401 Prime Sponsor, Quigley: Extending deadlines for studies of medical benefits for injured workers under a consolidated health care system. Reported by Committee on Health Care
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 51.04 RCW to read as follows:
On or before January 1, 1996, the department of labor and industries and the workers' compensation advisory committee, in coordination with the joint committee on health systems oversight, if created by law, shall study and make an interim report, and on or before January 1, 1997, a final report, to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on the provision of medical benefits for injured workers under a consolidated health care system. The study shall include a review of options and recommendations for modifying the industrial insurance system to provide medical services for injured workers in a more cost-effective manner under a consolidated system, and may include consideration of the purchase of industrial insurance medical benefits through the health care authority or the inclusion of industrial insurance medical benefits in the services offered by health carriers or other appropriate options. The committee should also give consideration to at least the following issues: The use of various health care coverage arrangements and the effect of various health care coverage arrangements on the injured workers' choice of health services provider; the potential cost savings or other impacts of various consolidation options; the benefit structure required under industrial insurance; the potential for consolidation to meet or exceed existing medical cost management of the medical aid fund; the impact of separating the medical management of claims from the disability management of claims; the relationship between return-to-work efforts, medical services, and disability prevention; the relationship between medical services and rehabilitation services; and the effects of the quasi-judicial system that determines industrial insurance rights and obligations. In addition, the final report shall include a proposed plan and timeline for including the medical benefits of the industrial insurance system in the services offered by health carriers. The proposed plan shall assure that:
(1) The plan shall not take effect until at least ninety-seven percent of state residents have access to the standard benefits package, if created in statute;
(2) The standard benefits package, if created in statute, will provide benefits for injured workers that are at least equivalent to the medical benefits provided to injured workers under this title as determined by the department of labor and industries as of the effective date of the plan, including payments for services that are ancillary to industrial insurance medical benefits, such as, but not limited to, medical examinations for permanent disabilities;
(3) Other nonmedical benefits required to be provided under this title, such as, but not limited to, total or partial disability benefits or vocational rehabilitation benefits, are not affected;
(4) Employers who do not choose to offer benefits under the plan will continue to be required to provide industrial insurance medical benefits under this title;
(5) Employees participating in the plan shall not be required to pay deductibles, copayments, or other point-of-service charges for services related to industrial insurance injuries or diseases, such costs to be paid by the department of labor and industries or the self-insured employer, as applicable;
(6) The plan includes a mechanism to return to workers and employers, in equal shares, any savings that are realized in the costs of medical services for injured workers, as identified by the department of labor and industries;
(7) The majority of the employer's employees or, if the employees are represented for collective bargaining purposes, the exclusive bargaining representative voluntarily agree to the employer's participation in the plan.
In addition, the study shall include review of an option for an employer to elect to provide medical aid benefits under this title through the employer-sponsored general health plan if the employer pays one hundred percent of the premium cost of the general employee health care benefit plan and the medical aid premium.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 51.04 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department of labor and industries, in consultation with the workers' compensation advisory committee, may conduct pilot projects to purchase medical services for injured workers through various health care coverage arrangements. The projects shall assess the effects of various health care coverage arrangements on the cost and quality of, and employer and employee satisfaction with, medical services provided to injured workers.
(2) The pilot projects may be limited to specific employers. The implementation of a pilot project shall be conditioned upon a participating employer and a majority of its employees, or, if the employees are represented for collective bargaining purposes, the exclusive bargaining representative, voluntarily agreeing to the terms of the pilot. Unless the project is terminated by the department, both the employer and employees are bound by the project agreements for the duration of the project.
(3) Solely for the purpose and duration of a pilot project, the specific requirements of this title that are identified by the department as otherwise prohibiting implementation of the pilot project shall not apply to the participating employers and employees to the extent necessary for conducting the project. The various health care coverage arrangements for the pilot projects may include the designation of doctors responsible for the care delivered to injured workers participating in the projects.
(4) The projects shall conclude no later than January 1, 1997. The department shall make an interim report on the projects to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on or before October 1, 1996. The department shall present the final results of the pilot projects and any final recommendations related to the projects to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on or before April 1, 1997.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
(1) RCW 43.72.850 and 1993 c 492 s 485; and
(2) RCW 43.72.860 and 1993 c 492 s 486."
Correct the title accordingly.
Signed by Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Crouse; Kessler; Sherstad and Skinner.
Voting Yea: Representatives Backlund, Campbell, Casada, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Dellwo, Dyer, Hymes, Kessler, Sherstad and Skinner.
Excused: Representative Morris.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
There being no objection, the bills listed on today's committee reports under the fifth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.
The Speaker (Representative Horn presiding) declared the House to order.
The Speaker called the House to order.
The Sergeants at Arms announced the arrival of the Senate at the bar of the House.
The Speaker instructed the Sergeants at Arms of the House and Senate to escort the President of the Senate, Joel Pritchard; President Pro Tempore, Lorraine Wojahn; Vice President Pro Tempore, Rosa Franklin; Majority Leader, Marc Gaspard; and Minority Leader, Dan McDonald to seats on the rostrum.
The Speaker invited the Senators to seats within the House Chamber.
It is our privilege to again host the Award Ceremony for the winners of the Medal of Merit. We welcome you President Pritchard, our colleagues from the Senate, Medal recipients and all other guests who are with us today.
It is a pleasure for me to give you, President Pritchard, the gavel to preside over this Joint Session.
The Clerk of the Senate called the roll of the Senate.
The Clerk of the House called the roll of the House.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The President of the Senate appoints Representatives Stevens and Tokuda and Senators McAuliffe and Finkbeiner as a special committee to advise the Governor that the Joint Session has assembled and to escort him from his Chambers to the bar of the House.
The President of the Senate appoints Representatives Robertson and Regala and Senators Spanel and Morton as a special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the State Reception Room the bar of the House.
The President of the Senate appoints Representatives Schoesler and Conway and Senator Haugen to escort the Statewide Elected Officials from the State Reception Room to the bar of the House.
The President of the Senate introduced the Supreme Court Justices and the State Elected Officials.
The Sergeant at Arms announced the arrival of the Governor, Mike Lowry.
The President of the Senate instructed the Sergeant at Arms to escort Governor Mike Lowry to his seat on the rostrum.
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT PRITCHARD
President Pritchard: Ladies and gentlemen, It is my pleasure to welcome the Governor, Members of the Supreme Court, and our State Elected Officials who are with us for this Medal of Merit Ceremony.
The President of the Senate appoints Representatives Ballasiotes, Jacobsen, Honeyford and Cody and Senators Deccio and Prentice to escort Honorees from the State Reception Room to the rostrum.
The President of the Senate introduces Secretary of State, Ralph Munro.
REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE, RALPH MUNRO
Mr. Speaker and Mr. President, members of the Court, Elected Officials and distinguished guests all. In the mid 1980's Speaker John O'Brien and others proposed an award to be offered by Washington State government to "any person who has been distinguished by his exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people of Washington State". The legislature passed Speaker O'Brien's proposal and it was signed by Governor Booth Gardner.
Each year the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Washington state Supreme Court and the Secretary of State meet to discuss candidates for the Medal of Merit. Some proposed nominations come from the public, some from members of the legislature and other elected officials throughout the state, and some come from the Committee itself.
Previous winners include the very best of Washington State:
Doctor Lester Sauvage, world renown heart surgeon and scientist now leads the Hope Heart Clinic in Seattle.
Professor Orval Vogel, researcher and inventor of Washington's super wheat to feed the world from Pullman in the Polouse.
Senator Henry M. Scoop Jackson, defender of freedom around the globe, the school kid from Everett who went to the top.
Dorothy Bullit, benefactor and entrepreneur and philanthropist from Seattle, a pioneer in broadcasting.
Senator Warren G. Magnuson, prosecutor, politician and President Pro Tempore of the United State Senate. In the era of bringing home the bacon Maggie brought home the whole pig.
Eddie Carlson, who went from bellhop at the Olympic to Civic Leader of the pacific northwest.
Julia Butler Hansen, Chairman of the Interior Committee of the United States House of Representatives, because of her, every cabinet member in the United States government learned exactly where Kathlamet Washington is located.
Dr. Beldine Skribbner, physician, inventor, research and development of the kidney dialysis equipment for the world.
Francis Penrose Owen, civil leader, business executive, organizer of numerous charitable and illumnosary activities and long time regent at Washington State University.
James Reed Ellis, Seattle advocate and attorney, founder of Metro, cleaning up western Washington waters and forward thinker of forward thrust.
Dr. Charles O'dgard, professor, educator and leader who struggled during the difficult and often tumultuous 1960's to build one of the finest universities in the world [U.W.]
And finally, Dr. William Hutchinson, the ballplayer's brother who went to medical school and who refused to strike out against cancer, and continues to beat it on a daily basis, the founder of the Freddy Hutichinson Cancer Research Center.
During the years of 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994 your committee met, reviewed nominations and decided to wait. We have always remembered that the law says "exceptional meritorious conduct and outstanding service". It is with greatest respect today that the committee reports that two names have been selected for 1995. These two outstanding individual Washingtonians are Dr. Michael Copass of Seattle and King County and Dr. Kathleen Ross of Toppenish in Yakima County. Thank you.
The President of the Senate is honored to introduce guests to honor Dr. Kathleen Ross and guests here to honor Dr. Michael Copass, his wife, Lucy, their daughter, Chloantha.
The President of the Senate introduced the delegation from Uruguay: Mr. Gonzalo Cibils, Mr. Medardo Manini Rios, Mr. Gonzalo Irrazabal Buquet, Mr. Roberto Yavarone, Mr. Alvaro Alonso, Ms. Carina Gomez, Mr. Arturo Collazo Miranda, Mr. Juan Maspoli Bianchi and Mr. Gustavo Faulord Calisto.
The Speaker assumed the chair.
Speaker: The purpose of the Joint Session is to present Medal of Merit Awards for the fifth time, honoring two deserving Washington State citizens who have been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and State of Washington.
At this time I will take the gavel from the President for the purpose of introducing him as a participant in the Ceremony.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Speaker has the honor to present to you, Lt. Governor, Joel Pritchard for the purpose of introducing and honoring Dr. Michael Copass.
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT PRITCHARD
I believe all of you have read the program, but just to remind you Dr. Copass directed the emergency center at Harborview, the medical director of the airlift northwest, medical director of the King County medic one program 911, spectacular achievement! You realize that, and it's said not in jest, but in truth that the safest place in the world to have a heart attack is Seattle. And this gentleman was the driving force, and he was the key to putting in this team. And besides that he also has time to work and teach at the University of Washington as a professor of neurology.
I think the easiest way to explain what Mike has accomplished.... I was over on Bainbridge Island and I was watching a playfield where some children were playing and there was a father there and he was playing with the children. And I realized that was the same man who two years ago was hit, he was on a bike and he was hit by a car and he was run over and dragged two-hundred feet. People thought he was dead, but he was alive. They said he isn't going to make it but they got a hold of a helicopter and they flew him to Harborview. They said he may live he may not, he is obviously is going to be in terrible shape if he does live. Two years later he's playing with baseball with his children. That's the legacy that this man has left.
And I know that he'd be the first one to say, "that many other people have been involved, I don't do it alone." Personally he's saved hundreds of people by his actions, his staff has saved thousands. And because of the system he's put together has been replicated in so many other systems, now he's saved thousands.
And just two weeks ago I had someone from a foreign country come and say, "We want to go up to Harborview and see how they do it. We're going to put a system like this in our country." So he's going to affect the lives of millions of people. So it's with great pleasure that I introduce Mike Copass, Doctor Michael Copass, here Medal of Merit winner.
It is an intimidating job to face down things that are said about you. I frequently start speeches by reminding people that I could be prematurely grey and likewise prematurely senile but I'll let you be the judge of that.
I one time started a speech by the phrase, "in my farming days". I was 18, I was practicing that speech in a courtroom of a man whose standards I wasn't sure I could meet. He was a little man from west Texas, who was absolutely sure I needed as much work as I could possibly do. So he guaranteed that I could work for one of his friends who farmed a fairly large and somewhat desperate collection of sand in Franklin County.
When you think about activities that impress you, farming for an 18 year old, when you're all alone, always hot, insufferably so, always cold, the same does leave you with a memory. I think my life passed fairly quickly.
And so the second real impact came upon me and that was ... I could start a speech and say, "In my Harborview days". I've been at Harborview for a long time, my entire professional life, save that spent in the military. Education passes by like the speed of light, no matter whether it's collegiate or medical school, but
one's professional duties add like the skin of an onion. And I think about that particular facility which has existed in the state under the largess of the University, and I think about the contribution that facility has made to this State, to the county of King, to the city of Seattle, and to the region. And I think we are very lucky and I think it is a privilege to serve there.
So the truth of this speech is that I thank you for allowing me the privilege to be one of your servants. I've enjoyed my time in that institution. We've spent every day trying to make ourselves better, we've spent every day trying to get the most we can out of what resources we have and we use them wisely. Our goal and our ambition is to provide reasonable care for the citizens of this place and to provide an educational format for those individuals who come from this state who need to be the next generations physicians. People that we see as leaders in their communities they are chosen to go to school for their talent, they must leave the school professionally skilled as leaders.
So I thank you for this monumental award. And I also thank you for allowing me these last twenty-two years to function as a member of this intellectual community -- the University of Washington School of Medicine, to participate in the activities of this remarkable state and to be able to do the things that we had done in the institution under the golden dome at 9th and Jefferson, for the people who need our help. May I thank you.
Thank you Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the State Supreme Court, members of the State Legislature, Citizens of the State of Washington, thank you for allowing me the honor to make this next presentation of our Medal of Merit.
Dr. Kathleen Ross has dedicated her life to education as founding President of Heritage College. Dr. Ross has sought to bring higher education to culturally diverse students who otherwise might not have a Four-year college opportunity. The success of Heritage College has been phenomenal, in 1982 the college had an initial class of approximately 80 students, now the college enrolls more than 1100 students a year. 50% of the undergraduate students are either Native American or Hispanic, and 85% are the first persons from their families to attend college. In addition, 70% of the students are women and 60% live below the poverty level.
Heritage College started as an outreach effort of Ft. Wright College in Spokane where Dr. Ross was academic Vice President. When Ft. Wright closed community leaders from the Yakima Indian Nation and Yakima Valley refused to let the program die. Along with Dr. Ross they established a new college specifically for the people of the Yakima Valley region.
Today the College graduates between 700 - 800 students a year in education, social sciences, liberal arts and business management. Heritage College also offers a Masters of Education degree that produces close to 100 graduates each year making Heritage College the school that graduates the most minority teachers in Washington State. Importantly, many Heritage graduates return to their home communities to teach.
Dr. Ross is nationally known as a leader in higher education especially in the field of cross cultural communication. In 1989 she was one of three recipients of the National Herald McGraw prize in education. In 1991 Georgetown University presented her with the John Kennedy Award. She has honor degrees from Darthmouth, Alverno, Pomona and Whitworth Colleges and Seattle University. Dr. Ross holds a Ph.D. and is an instrumental member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. And I'm very honored to present her with the 1995 Washington State Medal of Merit. Dr. Ross.
Thank you Governor Lowry; Speaker of the House, Clyde Ballard, from a city dear to my heart, Wenatchee. Lt. Governor Joel Pritchard; Our Secretary of State, Ralph Monroe; and distinguished members of the Legislature; our Chief Justice Durham and Justices of the Court; and all of my new friends and my old friends here.
I'm really thrilled to accept this medal today because it symbolizes to me, how people who dream together, who create a vision together, who support each other in pursuit of that vision and who trust in God's providence together, can make a difference.
So I accept this medal today not just for myself but on behalf of all those people who have made a difference by creating and nurturing and sustaining Heritage College. This includes the more than 5,000 individual students that have taken at least one course at Heritage College, in a place where on four year college existed fourteen years ago. It also includes the faculty, the staff, the administrators, the board of directors. The faculty, staff and administrators work for private college wages but they provide a tremendous public service for the State of Washington and are proud of it.
I accept this on behalf also of the hundreds of persons in the Yakima Valley and throughout the State that have given not only a beautiful new library to Heritage, and there's a nice picture of it out in that display [in the capitol rotunda] but have also given dozens of vital scholarships and other operational support.
I also think, most especially, in accepting this award of the Yakima Indian Nation whose educational leaders provided the original vision of what could be and who continue to support the growth of our multi-ethnic College. And unfortunately all of those education leaders are in Washington D.C.for a major Indian conference today, so they couldn't join us here.
My sharing this award also includes thanks to the Sisters of the Holy Name who supported the college at the very beginning even though it was to be a nonsectarian institution.
I also want to thank the members of this legislature especially and the Governor's office because you have provided financial aid in the form of the Washington State Need Grant, the Educational Opportunity Grant, the Work Study Funds and without these vital funds Heritage would be without 95% of its students. That would be a petty small school.
And last but not least, in people who have made a difference for me I include my Mother Mary Ross of Wenatchee, and my sister Rosemary of the Dalles in Oregon.
In receiving this medal today I was asking myself what makes the Heritage story so unique and seemingly deserving of recognition? And my answer is a very simple word: Opportunity. Heritage has demonstrated that creating opportunities for people brings success for an entire community which could not even have been imagined before hand.
What do I mean when I say opportunity? Well, I mean opportunity that knocks at each citizens door regardless of the geographic location, regardless of he financial condition, regardless of the ethnic background. Opportunity that expresses the belief that each citizen can become a contributor to society not just a consumer of society's benefits. An opportunity that comes into being when each person is treated with dignity empowering each to have the courage to reach for his or her full God-given human potential. This is the kind of opportunity which Heritage is dedicated to creating.
As I was thinking of what to share with you the last couple of days one of our faculty brought a thank you note to me that he had received in the mail and I would like to share it with all of you:
Dear Doctor;
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the enormous changes your work has brought in my life. When we first met in 1991 I was living on public assistance with not much hope for anything. Since that time I have not only managed to become self supporting but to increase my income by about $10,000 a year. This has certainly improved my and my children's lives. The work you do is so important and you'll always have my respect and gratitude. Thanks Again
Signed one of our students
That is what opportunity is about.
I thank you today for this very high honor bestowed on me and on Heritage College and in accepting it I challenge each of us to measure what we are doing against that yard stick of creating opportunities. Opportunities which will allow for the creation of a better world for the generations yet to come. This will mean creating opportunities proportionally for all people at all levels of society. Opportunities for individuals to become contributors to society and not just bigger consumers of either private or public wealth.
How exciting it is to me to think of the future if all our expectations are focused on increasing opportunities for everybody at every level of society and not simply meeting the popular short-term expectations of increasing everyone's disposable income.
I feel a great joy and pride in accepting this medal today. The joy and satisfaction of creating opportunities which allows people to change their lives is a far greater award than any material award I can imagine. And this medal today celebrates that joy and pride.
And on a spiritual level I have to say it's truly an awesome privilege to participate in God's own work of creating new life in others. My wish for each of you here today is that you would experience the same joy and satisfaction.
Again, Thank you. To our legislators please consider continuing your support for financial aid. And God Bless everyone of you.
The President of the Senate instructed the special committee to escort Dr. Ross and Dr. Copass the State Reception Room.
The President of the Senate instructed the special committee to escort Governor Lowry to the State Reception Room.
The President of the Senate instructed the special committee to escort the Statewide Elected Officials to the State Reception Room.
The President of the Senate instructed the special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices to the State Reception Room.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Padden, the Joint Session was dissolved.
The President of the Senate returned the gavel to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker instructed the Sergeant at Arms of the House, and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, to please come forward and escort President, Joel Pritchard; President Pro Tempore, Lorraine Wojahn; Vice President Pro Tempore, Rosa Franklin; Majority Leader, Marc Gaspard; Minority Leader, Dan McDonald; and members of the Washington State Senate from the House Chamber.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Padden, the House adjourned until 9:55 a.m., Tuesday, March 21, 1995.
CLYDE BALLARD, Speaker
TIMOTHY A. MARTIN, Chief Clerk