Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 43.70 - Department of Health.
43.70.460 - Retired primary and specialty care provider liability malpractice insurance—Program authorized.

RCW 43.70.460
Retired primary and specialty care provider liability malpractice insurance—Program authorized.

(1) The department may establish a program to purchase and maintain liability malpractice insurance for retired primary and specialty care providers who provide health care services to low-income patients. The following conditions apply to the program:
(a) Health care services shall be provided at clinics serving low-income patients that are public or private tax-exempt corporations or other established practice settings as defined by the department;
(b) Health care services provided at the clinics shall be offered to low-income patients based on their ability to pay;
(c) Retired health care providers providing health care services shall not receive compensation for their services; and
(d) The department shall contract only with a liability insurer authorized to offer liability malpractice insurance in the state.
(e) Specialists in this program will be limited to those whose malpractice insurance premiums are comparable to primary care providers.
(2) This section and RCW 43.70.470 shall not be interpreted to require a liability insurer to provide coverage to a health care provider should the insurer determine that coverage should not be offered to a health care provider because of past claims experience or for other appropriate reasons.
(3) The state and its employees who operate the program shall be immune from any civil or criminal action involving claims against clinics or health care providers that provided health care services under this section and RCW 43.70.470. This protection of immunity shall not extend to any clinic or health care provider participating in the program.
(4) The department may monitor the claims experience of retired health care providers covered by liability insurers contracting with the department.
(5) The department may provide liability insurance under chapter 113, Laws of 1992 only to the extent funds are provided for this purpose by the legislature. If there are insufficient funds to support all applications for liability insurance coverage, priority shall be given to those retired health care providers working at clinics operated by public or private tax-exempt corporations rather than clinics operated by for-profit corporations.

[ 2005 c 156 § 1; 2004 c 184 § 1; 1993 c 492 § 276; 1992 c 113 § 2.]
NOTES:

Finding—1993 c 492: See note following RCW 28B.115.080.


Findings—Intent—1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.


Short title—Savings—Reservation of legislative power—Effective dates—1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.


Legislative declaration—1992 c 113: "There are a number of retired physicians who wish to provide, or are providing, health care services to low-income patients without compensation. However, the cost of obtaining malpractice insurance is a burden that is deterring them from donating their time and services in treating the health problems of the poor. The necessity of maintaining malpractice insurance for those in practice is a significant reality in today's litigious society.
A program to alleviate the onerous costs of malpractice insurance for retired physicians providing uncompensated health care services to low-income patients will encourage philanthropy and augment state resources in providing for the health care needs of those who have no access to basic health care services.
An estimated sixteen percent of the nonelderly population do not have health insurance and lack access to even basic health care services. This is especially problematic for low-income persons who are young and who are either unemployed or have entry-level jobs without health care benefits. The majority of the uninsured, however, are working adults, and some twenty-nine percent are children.
The legislature declares that this act will increase the availability of primary care to low-income persons and is in the interest of the public health and safety." [ 1992 c 113 § 1.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 43 - State Government—Executive

Chapter 43.70 - Department of Health.

43.70.005 - Intent.

43.70.010 - Definitions.

43.70.020 - Department created.

43.70.030 - Secretary of health.

43.70.040 - Secretary's powers—Rule-making authority—Report to the legislature.

43.70.041 - Five-year formal review process of existing rules.

43.70.045 - Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.

43.70.047 - Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.

43.70.050 - Collection, use, and accessibility of health-related data.

43.70.052 - Hospital financial and patient discharge data—Financial reports—Data retrieval—American Indian health data—Reporting—Patient discharge data—Confidentiality and protection.

43.70.053 - Hospital consolidated annual income—Reporting.

43.70.054 - Health care data standards—Submittal of standards to legislature.

43.70.056 - Health care-associated infections—Data collection and reporting—Advisory committee—Rules.

43.70.057 - Hospital emergency room patient care information—Data collection, maintenance, analysis, and dissemination—Rules.

43.70.060 - Duties of department—Promotion of health care cost-effectiveness.

43.70.064 - Health care quality—Findings and intent—Requirements for conducting study under RCW 43.70.066.

43.70.066 - Study—Uniform quality assurance and improvement program—Reports to legislature—Limitation on rule making.

43.70.068 - Quality assurance—Interagency cooperation.

43.70.070 - Duties of department—Analysis of health services.

43.70.075 - Identity of whistleblower protected—Remedy for retaliatory action—Definitions—Rules.

43.70.080 - Transfer of powers and duties from the department of social and health services.

43.70.081 - Transfer of certain behavioral health-related powers, duties, and functions from the department of social and health services.

43.70.090 - Authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas—Provisions governing subpoenas.

43.70.095 - Civil fines.

43.70.097 - Enforcement in accordance with RCW 43.05.100 and 43.05.110.

43.70.100 - Reports of violations by secretary—Duty to institute proceedings—Notice to alleged violator.

43.70.110 - License fees—Costs—Other charges—Waiver.

43.70.112 - Online access to health care resources—Annual accounting of use of funds and use of online resources—University of Washington.

43.70.115 - Licenses—Denial, suspension, revocation, modification.

43.70.117 - Health care professionals licensed in another state or United States territory or the District of Columbia—In-state practice on a limited basis—Requirements—Limitations.

43.70.120 - Federal programs—Rules—Statutes to be construed to meet federal law.

43.70.125 - Health care facility certification—Unfunded federal mandates—Applicant fees.

43.70.130 - Powers and duties of secretary—General.

43.70.140 - Annual conference of health officers.

43.70.150 - Registration of vital statistics.

43.70.170 - Threat to public health—Investigation, examination or sampling of articles or conditions constituting—Access—Subpoena power.

43.70.180 - Threat to public health—Order prohibiting sale or disposition of food or other items pending investigation.

43.70.185 - Inspection of property where marine species located—Prohibitions on harvest or landing—Penalties.

43.70.190 - Violations—Injunctions and legal proceedings authorized.

43.70.195 - Public water systems—Receivership actions brought by secretary—Plan for disposition.

43.70.200 - Enforcement of health laws and state or local rules and regulations upon request of local health officer.

43.70.210 - Right of person to rely on prayer to alleviate ailments not abridged.

43.70.220 - Transfer of powers and duties from the department of licensing.

43.70.230 - Office of health consumer assistance created—Duties.

43.70.240 - Written operating agreements.

43.70.250 - License fees for professions, occupations, and businesses.

43.70.260 - Appointment of temporary additional members of boards and committees for administration and grading of examinations.

43.70.270 - License moratorium for persons in the service—Rules.

43.70.280 - Procedure for issuance, renewal, or reissuance of credentials—Extension or modification of licensing, certification, or registration period authorized.

43.70.290 - Funeral directors and embalmers subject to chapter 18.130 RCW.

43.70.300 - Secretary or secretary's designee ex officio member of health professional licensure and disciplinary boards.

43.70.310 - Cooperation with department of ecology.

43.70.320 - Health professions account—Fees credited—Requirements for biennial budget request—Unappropriated funds.

43.70.323 - Hospital infection control grant account.

43.70.327 - Public health supplemental account—Annual statement.

43.70.334 - Temporary worker housing—Definition.

43.70.335 - Temporary worker housing operating license—Fee—Display—Suspension or revocation—Fines—Refunds—Rules—Application of department of labor and industries standards.

43.70.337 - Temporary worker housing building permit—Plans and specifications—Fees—Rules.

43.70.340 - Temporary worker housing inspection fund—Fees on temporary worker housing operating licenses and building permits—Licenses generally.

43.70.400 - Head injury prevention—Legislative finding.

43.70.410 - Head injury prevention—Program, generally.

43.70.420 - Head injury prevention—Information preparation.

43.70.430 - Head injury prevention—Guidelines on training and education—Training of emergency medical personnel.

43.70.435 - Diagnosed concussions of students—Report.

43.70.440 - Head injury prevention act—Short title—1990 c 270.

43.70.442 - Suicide assessment, treatment, and management training—Requirement for certain professionals—Exemptions—Model list of programs—Rules—Health profession training standards provided to the professional educator standards board.

43.70.443 - Study of evidence-based suicide assessment, treatment, and management training—Report—Updates.

43.70.444 - Washington plan for suicide prevention—Steering committee—Report.

43.70.446 - Suicide-safer homes project—Suicide-safer homes project account.

43.70.447 - Suicide assessment, treatment, and management—Curriculum for dental students and dentists.

43.70.452 - Agricultural industry workforce behavioral health improvement and suicide prevention—Pilot program.

43.70.460 - Retired primary and specialty care provider liability malpractice insurance—Program authorized.

43.70.470 - Retired health care provider liability malpractice insurance—Conditions.

43.70.480 - Emergency medical personnel—Futile treatment and natural death directives—Guidelines.

43.70.490 - Emergency medical service personnel training program—Assistance to persons with disabilities—Requirements—Law enforcement officer training—Definitions.

43.70.495 - Telemedicine training for health care professionals.

43.70.500 - Health care services practice indicators and risk management protocols.

43.70.510 - Health care services coordinated quality improvement program—Rules.

43.70.512 - Public health system—Foundational public health services—Intent.

43.70.515 - Foundational public health services—Funding.

43.70.525 - Immunization assessment and enhancement proposals by local jurisdictions.

43.70.526 - Childhood immunizations—Resources for expecting parents.

43.70.533 - Chronic conditions—Training and technical assistance for primary care providers.

43.70.540 - Data collection—Legislative finding and intent.

43.70.545 - Data collection and reporting rules.

43.70.550 - Public health services improvement plan—Contents.

43.70.555 - Assessment standards.

43.70.560 - Media violence—Reporting reduction efforts.

43.70.570 - Intent—1995 c 43.

43.70.575 - Definitions.

43.70.590 - American Indian health care delivery plan.

43.70.595 - Health equity zones.

43.70.600 - Survey regarding exposure to radio frequencies—Results.

43.70.605 - Personal wireless services—Random testing on power density analysis—Rules.

43.70.610 - Domestic violence education program—Established—Findings.

43.70.613 - Health care professionals—Health equity continuing education.

43.70.615 - Multicultural health awareness and education program—Integration into health professions basic education preparation curriculum.

43.70.617 - Prenatal nutrition best practices—Educational resources for pregnant women.

43.70.619 - Pregnancy complications—Informational resources.

43.70.620 - List of contacts—Health care professions.

43.70.630 - Cost-reimbursement agreements.

43.70.640 - Workplace breastfeeding policies—Infant-friendly designation.

43.70.645 - Donor human milk—Milk bank safety standards.

43.70.650 - School sealant endorsement program—Rules—Fee—Report to the legislature.

43.70.660 - Product safety education.

43.70.665 - Early detection breast and cervical cancer screening program—Medical advisory committee.

43.70.670 - Human immunodeficiency virus insurance program.

43.70.675 - Public health advisory board.

43.70.680 - Volunteers for emergency or disaster assistance.

43.70.690 - State asthma plan.

43.70.700 - Locally grown foods—Women, infant, and children farmers market nutrition program—Fruit and vegetable benefit—Rules.

43.70.705 - Fall prevention program.

43.70.710 - Annual review of medication practices of five jails that use nonpractitioner jail personnel—Noncompliance.

43.70.715 - COVID-19 public health response account.

43.70.720 - Universal vaccine purchase account.

43.70.725 - Health extension program—Dissemination of evidence-based tools and resources—Rules.

43.70.738 - Down syndrome resources—Development.

43.70.740 - Adjudicative proceedings.

43.70.750 - Community assistance referral and education program—Review of certification and training—Recommendations to the legislature.

43.70.765 - Opioid drugs—Warning—Patient education materials.

43.70.770 - State opioid response plan.

43.70.780 - Fruit and vegetable incentives program.

43.70.790 - Health care facility inspection and investigation availability.

43.70.800 - Oversight, consolidation, and standardization—Review.

43.70.810 - Provision of medical information—Dissemination of requirements and authority.

43.70.815 - Environmental health disparities map.

43.70.820 - Environmental justice obligations of the department of health.

43.70.825 - School-based health center program office.

43.70.830 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Sampling and testing—Data-sharing agreement.

43.70.835 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—State-tribal compact schools.

43.70.840 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Technical guidance.

43.70.845 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Department of health as lead agency—Waiver.

43.70.850 - Suicide-safer homes task force.

43.70.900 - References to the secretary or department of social and health services—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.901 - References to the director or department of licensing—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.902 - References to the hospital commission—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.910 - Effective date—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.920 - Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.