Legislation in Wisconsin was enacted that requires all health plans to have internal and independent review processes. Small employer reform legislation was also enacted, and has resulted in the formation of a committee to design a private employer purchasing alliance. A member of WAHU is part of the reform committee. Next year, lawmakers will likely introduce legislation concerning the uninsured and will be reintroducing defeated bills like mental health parity. In Hawaii , the Governor signed privacy legislation that was put into effect July 1, 2000.
Consumers can then decide whether to omit the extra discretionary cost and go without an agent.
Idaho's high-risk pool bill was enacted and funding for the pool will come from premium taxes as decided by the Premium Tax Task Force. In October, a membership meeting will be held in Utah with a candidate for the U.S. House as speaker. Plans are underway to have the opposing candidate also attend to make the forum more of a political debate. In Washington , incumbent Senator Slade Gorton is facing strong Democrat opposition. A campaign to get a single payer initiative on the November ballot failed due to a lack of funds and the required amount of signatures.