02/24/1998 03:08 PM House HES

HB 300 - HEALTH CARE INSURANCE                                                 
                                                                               
Number 0031                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the first item on the agenda was HB 300,              
"An Act relating to health insurance; and providing for an                     
effective date."  He noted that HB 300 had a further committee                 
referral to the House Labor and Commerce Committee where the                   
insurance issues would be addressed.                                           
                                                                               
Number 0077                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN made a motion to move HB 300 from the                 
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal                  
notes.                                                                         
                                                                               
Number 0089                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER objected.  He said it was a close call             
for him, but looking at it from a position of endeavoring to get a             
handle on health care costs, he didn't think that anyone would be              
inspired to make an aggressive bid on a health care contract unless            
the company could be reasonably assured that the amount of                     
clientele the program considered would be the amount of clientele              
delivered to them for service.  A company cannot reduce the price              
for volume if the volume isn't delivered and in his opinion,                   
Section (c)(1) would preclude that from happening.  For that                   
reason, he was not going to support HB 300.                                    
                                                                               
Number 0206                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN amended his motion to reflect he was moving               
CSHB 300(HES) from committee with individual recommendations and               
attached fiscal notes.                                                         
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked for a roll call vote.  Representatives Dyson,             
Green and Bunde voted in favor of moving the bill. Representatives             
Porter and Vezey voted against it.  Representatives Brice and                  
Kemplen were absent.  Therefore, CSHB 300(HES) moved from the House            
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee on a vote             
of 3-2.                                                                        
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE called an at-ease for an update on the Traumatic                
Brain Injury Act of 1996.