Bills being closely monitored by members include, medical mistake errors, as well as some mandates for acupuncture coverage, mental health parity and individual external review. Ann Blomquist and Jackie Seversen are the new WAHU legislative chairs. In Arizona , legislation of issue this session includes expanding mental health parity, changes to the enrollment process of CHIP for eligible children, a contraceptive mandate, a small employer tax deduction and coverage of all costs associated with diabetes. The energy crisis in California has most legislators preoccupied. A few bills related to health insurance, like an employer health credit, the expansion and changes to the Healthy Families program have been introduced.
Many more bills are likely to be introduced after the energy issue is resolved.
In Hawaii the privacy legislation that was enacted last year and then promptly suspended is still being discussed. HAHU and others in the insurance industry are hoping that the act is not reinstated. Legislation relating to long term care and coverage of alternatives for elderly care have been proposed. The licensing model act legislation in Utah has been moving through legislature committees. This year's legislature is a short session lasting until the end of February.