The Washington House Health Care and Wellness Committee approved legislation from 17th District Rep. Paul Harris that would assist independent health care providers.  House Bill 1655 would require contracts between insurance companies and providers to include an increase from the previous year based on the consumer price index.  Harris says small, private health care providers have not received an increase in their reimbursement fees for about ten years.  Harris adds significant consolidation in health plan markets has given insurance companies greater bargaining power over individual health care providers and small clinics who have little or no opportunity to negotiate compensation to cover overhead costs.