Concerning the health technology assessment program.

HB 2204 amends Washington State's health technology assessment program to improve how medical technologies (like drugs or devices) are reviewed for coverage in state health programs. It requires the state to prioritize reviewing technologies with Medicare relevance, safety concerns, high costs, or significant usage variations, and mandates systematic evidence-based assessments by federal-designated centers. The bill requires annual reviews of covered technologies (every 18 months), includes public comment periods, and ensures decisions align with federal Medicare guidelines unless new evidence supports a different conclusion. This directly affects Washington's Medicaid programs, healthcare providers, technology manufacturers, and patients by shaping which treatments qualify for state-covered benefits.