CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 171(FIN)                                               
                                                                               
       An Act providing  coverage for  hospice care under  the                 
       Medicaid program;  reordering the  priorities given  to                 
       optional  services  under  the  Medicaid  program;  and                 
       providing for an effective date.                                        
                                                                               
  Co-chair Pearce directed  that CSHB 171 (Fin)  be brought on                 
  for  discussion.    REPRESENTATIVE  LARSON  remained  before                 
  committee.  He  explained that the legislation  would extend                 
  coverage of hospice services to Medicaid eligible adults who                 
  do not qualify  for Medicare.   Hospice care is presently  a                 
  Medicaid covered service  for children  and is available  to                 
  people who  qualify for Medicare.   The proposed  bill would                 
  fill the current void in extension of that coverage.                         
                                                                               
  DAVE  WILLIAMS, Division  of  Medical  Assistance, Dept.  of                 
  Health  and Social  Services, came before  committee voicing                 
  support for the bill.  He explained that coverage would help                 
  meet the  needs of terminally ill individuals who are likely                 
  to die within six months.                                                    
                                                                               
  Senator Kerttula  attested to past  experience in attempting                 
  to obtain care for  a terminally ill relative.   He stressed                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  need to simplify  the present system.  Mr. Williams observed                 
  that  the  hospice option  allows  for consideration  of the                 
  condition of those who are terminally ill.   He acknowledged                 
  that  they  not only  need services  at  home but  they need                 
  services delivered "in a way that is compassionate."                         
                                                                               
  In response to a  question from Senator Kelly,  Mr. Williams                 
  pointed to the  $10.0 fiscal note  from the Dept. of  Health                 
  and  Social Services and  explained that it  relates only to                 
  the  cost  of changing  the state  system  to allow  for the                 
  billing of extended hospice services under Medicaid.                         
                                                                               
  Discussion followed between  Senator Kelly and  Mr. Williams                 
  concerning the priority ranking of medical services.                         
                                                                               
  Senator  Kerttula voiced praise  for those providing hospice                 
  services,  advising that  they  are competent,  professional                 
  people  who  have  great compassion.    He  reiterated need,                 
  however,  to  streamline the  bookkeeping  effort associated                 
  with the service.                                                            
                                                                               
  Senator Kerttula then  MOVED that CSHB  171 (Fin) pass  from                 
  committee  with individual  recommendations.   No  objection                 
  having  been raised,  CSHB  171 (Fin)  was  REPORTED OUT  of                 
  committee with a $10.0 fiscal note  from the Dept. of Health                 
  and Social Services.  Senators Jacko and Kerttula signed the                 
  committee report with a "do pass" recommendation.  Co-chairs                 
  Pearce  and  Frank  and Senators  Kelly,  Rieger,  and Sharp                 
  signed "no rec."