Washington State House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation Based On Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations

April 19, 2007 – 11:21 am | posted in IT / Internet / E-mail, Primary Care, Public Health

The Washington state House on Thursday voted 61-34 to approve legislation intended to change the state’s health care system, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The legislation — based on 16 recommendations from the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access — would:

Encourage health care practices that have been proven effective;
Launch health promotion programs for state employees;
Allow online access to the University of Washington Health Science Library; and
Encourage the use of electronic medical records to improve safety, lower costs and promote better care of patients with chronic health conditions.

The legislation also would create a pilot program to modify the current small-business insurance pool and rename it the “Health Insurance Partnership.” The program would be based on the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector, which was created by the Massachusetts health insurance law. If successful, the program could evolve into a larger pool, in which the state would negotiate lower health insurance rates. Committee Chair Eileen Cody (D) said she expects the state Senate to approve the legislation. Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) supports the House version of the bill, according to Christina Hulet, the governor’s health care adviser. State Rep. Bill Hinkle (R), ranking member of the state House Health Care and Wellness Committee, said that the legislation “doesn’t provide a single benefit to small businesses and families” (Byrd, AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 4/13).

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