Press release:

Four key health care policies sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-33, have been passed by the Legislature and are on their way to becoming law.

“I am happy that we have finally moved beyond the debate over health reform and are creating health policies for the future,” said Keiser, ranking member on the health care committee.

Key policies passed by the Legislature include:

• Health care oversight: Senate Concurrent Resolution 8401 establishes a joint legislative oversight committee to ensure smooth, efficient implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by the Insurance Commissioner, the Health Benefit Exchange and the Health Care Authority. Now that three different agencies are responsible for parts of the ACA implementation, the Legislature needs to provide for coordination so there isn’t a “one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing” problem in health reform efforts.

• Reducing unnecessary emergency use: Senate Bill 5145 allows fire departments throughout the state to use the FD Cares model pioneered by the Kent Fire Department to connect 911 callers who are repeat callers with non-emergency needs to get access to appropriate community services and avoid unnecessary emergency room admissions. The goal is to improve health outcomes while reducing unnecessary emergency room encounters.

• Medication redistribution: Senate Bill 5148 allows nursing homes and other health care providers to donate unopened prescription drugs to pharmacists and clinics to give to individuals who do not have health care coverage and cannot afford the prescriptions they need. Many other states are successfully running this kind of program.

• Implementing new standards for involuntary commitment: Senate Bill 5480 implements new standards for involuntary commitment proceedings that allow for more information from family and friends to be considered by the judge and the mental health professionals that decide whether an individual should be committed. Additional mental health services in the community will be established to limit the need for hospitalization under Involuntary Treatment Acts. The bill is funded with $14 million in the Senate budget for additional mental health services.

All bills are now sent to Gov. Jay Inslee for his approval, except the resolution which does not need the governor’s