Committee reports four health bills out of committee; one item deferred

The House Healthcare and Wellness Committee held an executive session and moved four bills out with 'do pass' recommendations and deferred one item.

A proposed third substitute to House Bill 1589, which would require health carriers to provide providers with negotiation contacts, a clear redline and a clean incorporated contract and to disclose payment methodology at least 60 days before execution (and to provide 90 days'notice for significant payer contract modifications), was reported out of committee after discussion about merging several prior bills and late arrival of the final substitute. The roll call recorded 12 ayes, 4 nays and 3 excused; staff announced the tally and the committee reported the proposed substitute out with a due pass recommendation.

House Bill 2402, which would prohibit manufacture, sale and distribution of IV solution containers made with the phthalate DEHP and IV tubing on later timelines, passed its proposed substitute intended to adjust implementation timelines after hospitals and fire chiefs raised concerns. The substitute includes delay pathways to accommodate pending FDA approvals or equipment shortages and a shortage exemption while federal or state authorities determine an industry shortage. The committee reported the substitute out with a due pass recommendation (12 ayes, 5 nays, 2 excused).

House Bill 2555, related to coverage of traditional health care practices under Medicaid, was reported out with a due pass recommendation after proponents described multi-year development and collaboration with tribal health stakeholders and the Health Care Authority. One ranking member raised concerns about state exposure when non-tribal patients receive care at Indian clinics and potential federal reimbursement differences. The vote was announced as 16 ayes, 1 nay and 2 excused.

House Bill 2685, concerning tribal data and disease reporting to tribal health jurisdictions, was reported out with a due pass recommendation after discussion about intergovernmental collaboration and questions about data use and Public Records Act exemptions; the final announced tally was 10 ayes, 7 nays and 2 excused.

House Bill 2599 was deferred. The committee then recessed for a work session on private duty nursing under the Medically Intensive Children's Program.

Votes and recorded member votes were read into the record during roll call for each reported bill and staff announced the final tallies. The reported outcomes above reflect the motions and vote tallies announced by committee staff at the meeting.

The committee adjourned the executive session and moved to a separate work session on PDN.