04/04/2018 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Hb151 | |
| HB123 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 4, 2018
2:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator David Wilson, Chair
Senator Natasha von Imhof, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Peter Micciche
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 151(FIN)
"An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Health and
Social Services; relating to training and workload standards for
employees of the Department of Health and Social Services and
providing immunity from damages related to those standards;
relating to foster care home licensing; relating to civil and
criminal history background checks for foster care licensing and
payments; relating to placement of a child in need of aid;
relating to the rights and responsibilities of foster parents;
requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to
provide information to a child or person released from the
department's custody; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SCS CSHB 151(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 123(HSS)
"An Act relating to disclosure of health care services and price
information; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SCS CSHB 123(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 151
SHORT TITLE: DHSS;CINA; FOSTER CARE; CHILD PROTECTION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GARA
03/01/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/01/17 (H) HSS, FIN
03/16/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/16/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/21/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/21/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/21/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/23/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/23/17 (H) Moved CSHB 151(HSS) Out of Committee
03/23/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/24/17 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) NT 3DP 1DNP 1NR 2AM
03/24/17 (H) DP: TARR, EDGMON, SPOHNHOLZ
03/24/17 (H) DNP: EASTMAN
03/24/17 (H) NR: KITO
03/24/17 (H) AM: JOHNSTON, SULLIVAN-LEONARD
03/28/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/28/17 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/12/17 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/12/17 (H) Heard & Held
04/12/17 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/13/17 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/13/17 (H) Heard & Held
04/13/17 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/15/17 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
05/15/17 (H) Moved CSHB 151(FIN) Out of Committee
05/15/17 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/16/17 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NT 4DP 1NR 4AM
05/16/17 (H) DP: ORTIZ, GARA, SEATON, FOSTER
05/16/17 (H) NR: GUTTENBERG
05/16/17 (H) AM: TILTON, THOMPSON, KAWASAKI, WILSON
05/17/17 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/17/17 (H) VERSION: CSHB 151(FIN)
01/18/18 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/18 (S) HSS, FIN
03/19/18 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/19/18 (S) Heard & Held
03/19/18 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/21/18 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/21/18 (S) Heard & Held
03/21/18 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/04/18 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 123
SHORT TITLE: DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH CARE COSTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SPOHNHOLZ
02/13/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/13/17 (H) HSS, JUD
03/02/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/02/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/02/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/09/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/09/17 (H) Moved CSHB 123(HSS) Out of Committee
03/09/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/10/17 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 5DP 2NR
03/10/17 (H) DP: JOHNSTON, TARR, EDGMON, SULLIVAN-
LEONARD, SPOHNHOLZ
03/10/17 (H) NR: KITO, EASTMAN
03/24/17 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/24/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/24/17 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/27/17 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/27/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/27/17 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/29/17 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/29/17 (H) Moved CSHB 123(HSS) Out of Committee
03/29/17 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/31/17 (H) JUD RPT CS(HSS) 1DP 1NR 4AM
03/31/17 (H) DP: CLAMAN
03/31/17 (H) NR: EASTMAN
03/31/17 (H) AM: KOPP, KREISS-TOMKINS, FANSLER,
REINBOLD
04/07/17 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/07/17 (H) VERSION: CSHB 123(HSS)
04/10/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/10/17 (S) HSS, JUD
03/16/18 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/16/18 (S) Heard & Held
03/16/18 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/04/18 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GARA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 151.
Tracy Spartz Campbell, Deputy Director
Office of Children's Services
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on HB 151.
REPRESENATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 123.
BERNICE NESBITT, Staff
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on HB 123.
LORI WING-HEIER, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on HB 123.
ACTION NARRATIVE
2:01:19 PM
CHAIR DAVID WILSON called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Giessel, von Imhoff, Begich and
Chair Wilson.
^HB#151
HB 151-DHSS;CINA; FOSTER CARE; CHILD PROTECTION
2:01:28 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of HB 151. [CSHB
151(FIN) was before the committee.]
2:02:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB
151, said he wanted to point out that the bill only works as a
whole.
2:02:34 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1, labeled 30-LS0451\L.5.
30-LS0451\L.5
Laffen
4/2/18
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: CSHB 151(FIN)
Page 1, line 6, following "parents;":
Insert "relating to completed investigations of
reports of harm to a child;"
Page 7, following line 4:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 10. AS 47.10.093(a) is amended to read:
(a) Except as permitted in AS 47.10.092,
[AND IN] (b) - (g) and (i) - (l) of this section,
and AS 47.17.030(g), all information and social
records pertaining to a child who is subject to
this chapter or AS 47.17 prepared by or in the
possession of a federal, state, or municipal
agency or employee in the discharge of the
agency's or employee's official duty are
privileged and may not be disclosed directly or
indirectly to anyone without a court order."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 12, following line 23:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 18. AS 47.17.030 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(g) When the department or a local
government health or social services agency (1)
completes an investigation of a report of harm
concerning a child, (2) determines, based on the
investigation findings, that department or local
agency services to protect the child are not
required, and (3) identifies an appropriate
community organization that will actively reach
out to families to provide needed support
services, the department or local government
health or social services agency shall seek the
written consent of the child's parent or guardian
to refer the family to the community
organization. If the parent or guardian consents
to the referral, the department or local
government health or social services agency shall
refer the parent or guardian to the community
organization identified by the department. If the
child has more than one parent or guardian and
only one parent or guardian consents to the
referral, the department or local government
health or social services agency shall refer the
parent or guardian who consents to the community
organization but may not provide information to
the community organization concerning the parent
or guardian who does not consent to the referral.
A community organization that receives
information from the department or a local
government health or social services agency under
this subsection may not disclose the information
to a person who is not authorized by law to
receive it."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 13, lines 17 - 19:
Delete all material and insert:
"APPLICABILITY. (a) Sections 2, 7 - 9, 11 - 15,
17, and 19 of this Act apply to a child in the custody
or under the supervision of the Department of Health
and Social Services under AS 47.10 on or after the
effective date of secs. 2, 7 - 9, 11 - 15, 17, and 19
of this Act.
(b) Sections 3 - 6 and 20 of this Act apply to
applications for a license, license renewal,
certification, certification renewal, or payment
received by the Department of Health and Social
Services on or after the effective date of secs. 3 - 6
and 20 of this Act."
Page 13, line 31:
Delete "11 - 13, and 15"
Insert "12 - 14, and 16"
Page 14, line 3:
Delete "sec. 11"
Insert "sec. 12"
Delete "sec. 12"
Insert "sec. 13"
Page 14, line 4:
Delete "sec. 13"
Insert "sec. 14"
Page 14, line 5:
Delete "sec. 15"
Insert "sec. 16"
Page 14, line 6:
Delete "10, and 14 - 18"
Insert "11, 15 - 17, 19, and 20"
Page 14, line 10:
Delete "sec. 10"
Insert "sec. 11"
Page 14, line 11:
Delete "sec. 14"
Insert "sec. 15"
Page 14, line 12:
Delete "sec. 15"
Insert "sec. 16"
Delete "sec. 16"
Insert "sec. 17"
Page 14, line 13:
Delete "sec. 17"
Insert "sec. 19"
Delete "sec. 18"
Insert "sec. 20"
Page 14, line 14:
Delete "Section 20"
Insert "Section 22"
2:02:49 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purpose of discussion.
2:03:25 PM
CHAIR WILSON said he worked on creating the amendment with
R.O.C.K. Mat-Su [Raising Our Children with Kindness]. It creates
a formal response for the screen out reports for alleged
maltreatment of children; it provides a mechanism to provide
voluntary case management services for families with reports of
harm that are not screened into initial assessment. This is a
similar approach being used with tribal organizations through
Alaska child welfare compacts. Changing the system will allow
appropriate community organizations across Alaska to serve at-
risk families, thereby preventing maltreatment of children and
reducing the burden to the Office of Children's Services (OCS).
CHAIR WILSON said that the amendment inserts on page 1, line 6,
"relating to completed investigations of reports of harm to a
child," changing the title of the bill. On page 7, following
line 4, it amends the statute to provide the sharing of
information to social service agencies through parental consent
in the new subsection 18(g), and the information may not be
disclosed without a court order. The amendment inserts a new
subsection 18(g) containing language relating to obtaining
written consent of the parent or guardian to refer the family to
a community organization and the confidentiality surrounding the
sharing of information. The amendment on page 13, lines 17-19,
deletes all material and inserts new applicability language and
renumbers accordingly through the rest of the bill.
SENATOR BEGICH asked the bill sponsor's thoughts on the
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA said Senator Wilson, R.O.C.K. Mat-Su, and he
have all spoken to each other. It is a good amendment. When a
family is in trouble, groups like R.O.C.K. Mat-Su will reach out
to the family so they don't end up in the OCS system. The goal
of the bill is get kids out of foster care. This will hopefully
prevent them from coming in. R.O.C.K. Mat-Su has done great work
and other groups around the state will be doing that soon.
2:05:58 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF withdrew her objection.
2:06:03 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and announced that
Amendment 1 passed.
2:06:10 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 2, labeled 30-LS0451\L.7.
30-LS0451\L.7
Laffen
4/3/18
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: CSHB 151(FIN)
Page 13, line 31:
Delete "one year"
Insert "90 days"
Delete ", 11 - 13, and 15"
Insert "and 11 - 13"
Page 14, lines 4 - 5:
Delete "AS 47.14.100(i), as amended by sec. 13 of
this Act, and AS 47.14.112(a)(3)(A), enacted by sec.
15 of this Act;"
Insert "and AS 47.14.100(i), as amended by sec.
13 of this Act;"
Page 14, line 6:
Delete "three years"
Insert "one year"
Page 14, line 11:
Delete "(a)(3)(B), (b), and (c)"
Insert "(a)(3)(A) and (b)"
Page 14, following line 13:
Insert a new paragraph to read:
"(3) two years after the effective date of
sec. 15 of this Act, implement the changes made by
AS 47.14.112(a)(3)(B) and (a)(4), enacted by sec. 15
of this Act."
2:06:28 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purposes of discussion.
2:06:34 PM
CHAIR WILSON said this is a request from the bill sponsor to
amend the timelines for completing legislation.
2:07:51 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF removed her objection.
2:07:56 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and Amendment 2 passed.
2:08:05 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 3, labeled 30-LS0451\L.6.
2:08:14 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purposes of discussion.
30-LS0451\L.6
Laffen
4/3/18
AMENDMENT 3
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: CSHB 151(FIN)
Page 10, line 22:
Delete "report"
Insert "reports"
Page 12, line 6, following "under":
Insert "(a) of"
Page 12, following line 16:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(d) The division of the department with
responsibility over the custody of children shall
prepare and make available to the legislature an
annual report on employee recruitment and
retention, including a five-year plan, for the
division. The department shall deliver the report
to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of
the house of representatives and notify the
legislature that the report is available not
later than November 15 of each year. The report
prepared under this subsection is separate from
the annual report to the legislature required
under AS 18.05.020."
2:08:21 PM
CHAIR WILSON said Amendment 3 requires an annual report from OCS
on employee recruitment and retention, including a five-year
plan. This is separate from the report required under AS
18.05.020. This is similar to what the Department of Public
Safety has done. He said he wants to see a formalized, strategic
plan. The Director of OCS, Christy Lawton, has spoken about
seeing the same issues occur during her years of service. He
said he wants to start a conversation with a written plan that
they can refer to instead of an oral statement and plan.
SENATOR BEGICH asked the sponsor his opinion of the amendment.
2:10:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA answered that it is consistent with the
legislation and makes it stronger. He wants the department to do
the things required in the bill and the amendment reinforces
that.
SENATOR VON IMHOF asked if anyone from the department was
present to testify about this section.
2:10:45 PM
Tracy Spartz Campbell, Deputy Director, Office of Children's
Services, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS),
testified on HB 151. She said OCS is comfortable with the plan.
They have various strategies that they are working on and so
this plan may be a good option for to consolidate those into one
plan. They are supportive of the amendment.
2:11:11 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF removed her objection.
2:11:17 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and Amendment 3 passed.
2:11:35 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF moved the Senate Committee Substitute for
Committee Substitute for HB 151 from committee with individual
recommendations and forthcoming fiscal notes.
2:11:50 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and SCS CSHB 151(HSS) moved from
the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
2:12:25 PM
At ease.
HB 123-DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH CARE COSTS
2:14:28 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of HB 123. [The
committee adopted the work draft SCS for CSHB 123, labeled 30-
LS0380\G, on 3/16/18.]
2:15:01 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1, 30-LS0380\G.3.
30-LS0380\G.3
Bruce
3/30/18
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: SCS CSHB 123( ), Draft Version "G"
Page 5, line 26:
Delete "$5,000"
Insert "$10,000"
Page 6, line 25:
Delete all material.
Reletter the following subparagraph accordingly.
2:15:17 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purposes of discussion.
2:15:30 PM
CHAIR WILSON explained that on page 5, line 26, Amendment 1
changes the cap on the amount of civil penalties from $5,000 to
$10,000 and on page 6, line 25, includes tribal facilities with
health care facilities so that they have to comply with the
bill's requirements.
SENATOR BEGICH asked if he worked with the bill sponsor.
2:16:10 PM
REPRESENATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor
of HB 123 said she did discuss the changes and supports them.
2:16:32 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF removed her objection.
2:16:37 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and Amendment 1 passed.
2:16:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 2, labeled 30-LS0380\G.5.
30-LS0380\G.5
Bruce
4/3/18
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: SCS CSHB 123( ), Draft Version "G"
Page 7, following line 20:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is
amended by adding a new section to read:
TRANSITION: REGULATIONS. The Department of Health and
Social Services may adopt regulations necessary to
implement the changes made by this Act. The regulations
take effect under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act),
but not before the effective date of the law implemented by
the regulation.
* Sec. 4. Section 3 of this Act takes effect immediately
under AS 01.10.070(c)."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
Page 7, line 21:
Delete "This"
Insert "Except as provided in sec. 4 of this Act, this"
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purposes of discussion.
2:16:52 PM
CHAIR WILSON said these changes were requested by DHSS so that
it can adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made
by this Act.
2:17:34 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF removed her objection.
2:17:41 PM
There being no objection, Amendment 2 passed.
2:17:46 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 3, labeled 30-LS0380\G.6.
30-LS0380\G.6
Bruce
4/3/18
AMENDMENT 3
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: SCS CSHB 123( ), Draft Version "G"
Page 1, line 1, following "information;":
Insert "relating to health care insurers;"
Page 4, line 6:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 4, line 8:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 4, line 14:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 4, lines 23 - 24:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 5, line 17:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 5, line 25, following "section":
Insert "or a health care insurer that fails to comply
with the requirements of (g) and (h) of this section"
Page 5, line 31:
Delete "or health care facility"
Insert ", health care facility, or health care
insurer"
Page 7, following line 20:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. AS 21.96 is amended by adding a new section
to read:
Sec. 21.96.200. Good faith estimate. Upon request
of a covered person who is receiving nonemergency
health care services, a health care insurer shall
provide a good faith estimate of the amount of the
reasonably anticipated charges for treating the
patient's specific condition under AS 18.23.400(g) and
(h)."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
2:18:08 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF objected for purposes of discussion.
CHAIR WILSON said the amendment adds health care insurers to
entities that shall provide a good faith estimate to patients
who request non-emergency health care services.
SENATOR BEGICH asked what the intent of the amendment was.
CHAIR WILSON answered that the intent was to allow good faith
estimates to be provided not only from those providing the
services, but the insurers also because the posted prices may
not be applicable for people who have insurance. If the doctor's
office cannot contact the insurer, the patient can give the
codes to the insurer to get a more detailed, specific estimate.
It allows the same time frame to comply with the good faith
estimates.
SENATOR BEGICH asked if the bill sponsor supports the amendment.
2:20:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ said it is welcomed. Getting a good
faith estimate from insurers in a timely manner is a reasonable
thing to expect.
SENATOR VON IMHOF asked for clarification that with this
amendment, insurers will be participating in good faith
estimates but not posting prices like health care facilities and
providers are being asked to do.
CHAIR WILSON said correct.
SENATOR VON IMHOF asked if there is another definition of
insurer that says private insurer, self-insured,
Medicare/Medicaid, TRICARE, etc.
2:21:47 PM
BERNICE NESBITT, Staff, Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska
State Legislature, testified on HB 123. She said page 6, line
30, of the bill states that "health care insurer" has the
meaning given in AS 21.54.500.
2:22:25 PM
At ease.
2:24:26 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
2:24:41 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked Director Wing-Heier to comment on the
insurer component of the bill.
LORI WING-HEIER, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), testified
on HB 123. She said that for transparency, the amount paid is an
important factor that needs to be addressed. The amount paid is
most often going to be what the insurance company has either
negotiated or the insurer can inform the consumer how they will
pay if it is the 80th percentile or some other formula, so that
the consumer will understand what they may pay out of pocket.
Without that component, a consumer might look at provider prices
and decide to not go forward because the cost of services look
too high.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if it would be impossible for insurers to
put their reimbursement amounts up because it is so personalized
to each insured person.
MS. WING-HEIER said correct. Network contracts may differ
between employers and health care plans may differ in
deductibles and copays. Those factors have to be taken into
account when someone is looking at the cost.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if insurers are required now to respond to
client's request for that information.
MS. WING-HEIER said yes. One of the largest insurers has a good
website for clients to go to. Insurers are becoming more
transparent to empower consumers to do the research on their
own. It's a long way from perfect, but the attempt is starting.
2:27:20 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF removed her objection.
2:27:32 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and Amendment 3 passed.
SENATOR VON IMHOF thanked Representative Spohnholz for bringing
the bill forward. It is a good start. She said she has put a lot
of thought into this bill and would like to continue dialogue
with Representative Spohnholz to do a new bill next year that
adds the other components of the health care cycle. Providers
such as doctors and hospitals provide the procedures and then
insurers pay for the procedures. Health care trusts manage
health care plans for public entities and then patients need to
compare prices and pay attention to value and ask for good faith
estimates. HB 123 addresses providers and insurers to an extent,
it encourages patients to ask for good faith estimates, but
there is more work to be done building on this bill to bend the
cost of health care growth in the future.
CHAIR WILSON said as Representative Spohnholz described, the
bill is the first couple of steps in a marathon. There is a long
way to go to lower health cost and unravel the complexity of
health care in this state. This is a good faith effort toward
that.
2:30:23 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF moved to report the Senate Committee
Substitute for Committee Substitute for HB 123, Version G, as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
forthcoming fiscal notes.
2:30:39 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and SCS CSHB 123(HSS) moved from
the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
2:30:58 PM
At ease.
2:32:59 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wilson adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee at 2:32 p.m.