Bill > SB5915

This bill modifies the health technology assessment program by prioritizing technologies for review that are either recommended for Medicare patients or included in nationally recognized expert treatment guidelines, and for which there are concerns about safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, or significant variations in use, especially if state expenditures are high and sufficient evidence exists for a complete review. It also clarifies that rereviews of previously determined technologies should consider new evidence in the context of the original assessment and introduces provisions for evaluating technologies for life-threatening or rare diseases by examining all applicable peer-reviewed clinical trials and considering expert input when certain trial designs are unethical or impractical. Additionally, the bill mandates that the health care authority publish submissions for new technology assessments and rereviews on its website within 30 days of receipt, and that the committee complete its determination and communicate its decision, including a written explanation for adverse outcomes, to the submitting party within 180 days of the initial submission.