(1) The department of social and health
services shall develop a series of options that require federal
waivers and state plan amendments to expand coverage and leverage
federal and state resources for the state's basic health program,
for the medical assistance program, as codified at Title XIX of
the federal social security act, and the state's children's
health insurance program, as codified at Title XXI of the federal
social security act. The department shall propose options
including but not limited to:
(a) Offering alternative benefit designs to promote high
quality care, improve health outcomes, and encourage
cost-effective treatment options and redirect savings to finance
additional coverage;
(b) Creation of a health opportunity account demonstration
program for individuals eligible for transitional medical
benefits. When a participant in the health opportunity account
demonstration program satisfies his or her deductible, the
benefits provided shall be those included in the medicaid benefit
package in effect during the period of the demonstration program;
and
(c) Promoting private health insurance plans and premium
subsidies to purchase employer-sponsored insurance wherever
possible, including federal approval to expand the department's
employer-sponsored insurance premium assistance program to
enrollees covered through the state's children's health insurance
program.
(2) Prior to submitting requests for federal waivers or
state plan amendments, the department shall consult with and seek
input from stakeholders and other interested parties.
(3) The department of social and health services, in
collaboration with the Washington state health care authority,
shall ensure that enrollees are not simultaneously enrolled in
the state's basic health program and the medical assistance
program or the state's children's health insurance program to
ensure coverage for the maximum number of people within available
funds.
[2007 c 259 § 23.]
NOTES:
Severability -- Subheadings not law -- 2007 c 259: See notes following RCW 41.05.033.