icnmgrjill
01-27-2006, 12:28 PM
Washington Technology Assessment Legislation: Patient Action needed.
Legislation (HB2575/SB6306) has been introduced in Washington, at the request of Governor Christine Gregoire, to establish a technology assessment center to conduct assessments on new and existing treatments with the goal of controlling state health care costs. The Center would provide its findings to an advisory committee that would make coverage recommendations to state health agencies. State agencies would be required to apply coverage decisions based on technology assessment to state-funded programs, including Medicaid, workers’ compensation, and state employee health benefit plans.
Unless it is carefully drafted, the bill could threaten patient access to appropriate care and especially to new treatments and to treatments that are tailored to unique individual needs. Hearings have been held on the bill in the House and Senate health committees, and it could be voted out of committee the week of January 30th.
Urgent action is needed by patient groups to assure that the legislation protects patient interests.
Action needed
Patient groups should contact:
Governor Gregoire, Insurance Building, 302 14th Street, Southwest, Olympia, WA 98504
Representative Eileen Cody Senator Karen Keiser
Chair, House Health Committee Chair, Senate Health Cmte.
337 O’Brien Building 109 Modular Bldg 1
P.O. Box 98504-0600 P.O. Box 40433
Olympia, WA 95804 Olympia, WA 98504-0433
Message
The legislation should not go forward unless it:
• Protects physicians’ ability to make appropriate medical decisions, in consultation with patients.
• Prohibits denial of coverage unless there is solid scientific evidence demonstrating that a treatment is not efficacious;
• Ensures that Washington State does not deny coverage for technologies that have been approved by Medicare.
• Provides for an appeal process to allow coverage of an otherwise not covered treatment that is in the best interest of a particular patient and does not put undue burden of proof on the patient.
• Ensures representation of providers and patients on any advisory committees.
Bill Summary
• Defines “Health Technology” as a medical device, surgical and other procedures, medical equipment, diagnostic tests, and other health care services.
• Creates a technology assessment center to conduct reviews of existing research and conduct new assessments.
• Creates a clinical laboratory advisory committee to review evidence from assessments and make recommendations to state agencies on coverage and treatment guidelines.
• Requires each state agency to implement coverage decisions based on technology assessment.
• Appeals are required to demonstrate that a noncoverage decision is inconsistent with evidence-based medical practice.
Legislation (HB2575/SB6306) has been introduced in Washington, at the request of Governor Christine Gregoire, to establish a technology assessment center to conduct assessments on new and existing treatments with the goal of controlling state health care costs. The Center would provide its findings to an advisory committee that would make coverage recommendations to state health agencies. State agencies would be required to apply coverage decisions based on technology assessment to state-funded programs, including Medicaid, workers’ compensation, and state employee health benefit plans.
Unless it is carefully drafted, the bill could threaten patient access to appropriate care and especially to new treatments and to treatments that are tailored to unique individual needs. Hearings have been held on the bill in the House and Senate health committees, and it could be voted out of committee the week of January 30th.
Urgent action is needed by patient groups to assure that the legislation protects patient interests.
Action needed
Patient groups should contact:
Governor Gregoire, Insurance Building, 302 14th Street, Southwest, Olympia, WA 98504
Representative Eileen Cody Senator Karen Keiser
Chair, House Health Committee Chair, Senate Health Cmte.
337 O’Brien Building 109 Modular Bldg 1
P.O. Box 98504-0600 P.O. Box 40433
Olympia, WA 95804 Olympia, WA 98504-0433
Message
The legislation should not go forward unless it:
• Protects physicians’ ability to make appropriate medical decisions, in consultation with patients.
• Prohibits denial of coverage unless there is solid scientific evidence demonstrating that a treatment is not efficacious;
• Ensures that Washington State does not deny coverage for technologies that have been approved by Medicare.
• Provides for an appeal process to allow coverage of an otherwise not covered treatment that is in the best interest of a particular patient and does not put undue burden of proof on the patient.
• Ensures representation of providers and patients on any advisory committees.
Bill Summary
• Defines “Health Technology” as a medical device, surgical and other procedures, medical equipment, diagnostic tests, and other health care services.
• Creates a technology assessment center to conduct reviews of existing research and conduct new assessments.
• Creates a clinical laboratory advisory committee to review evidence from assessments and make recommendations to state agencies on coverage and treatment guidelines.
• Requires each state agency to implement coverage decisions based on technology assessment.
• Appeals are required to demonstrate that a noncoverage decision is inconsistent with evidence-based medical practice.