Healthcare

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1979: Updating cardiac care certificate of need requirements.

HB 1979 updates Washington’s certificate of need requirements for hospitals offering elective heart procedures (like angioplasty) without on-site cardiac surgery. It requires the Department of Health to conduct an independent review of safety, access, costs, and training needs - specifically ensuring the University of Washington maintains sufficient procedure volumes for cardiologist training - before setting new rules. The bill also clarifies exemptions for large health plans (with 50,000+ members) and their facilities to offer specialized care without a certificate of need, provided they meet accessibility and patient enrollment criteria. These changes aim to balance hospital flexibility with system stability and equitable patient access to cardiac care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires independent review to ensure cardiac care access and cardiologist training capacity, maintaining service quality without restricting procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1002: Recognizing posttraumatic stress disorder as an occupational disease for county coroners, examiners, and investigative personnel.

HB 1002 recognizes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for county coroners, medical examiner personnel, and investigative staff in Washington State. It amends workers' compensation rules (RCW 51.08.142) to allow these workers to file claims for PTSD-related injuries, which were previously excluded. The bill requires pre-employment psychological exams for some groups (like firefighters and law enforcement) hired after specific dates to confirm no preexisting PTSD. This change directly affects public safety workers in high-stress roles who develop PTSD from job-related trauma, expanding their eligibility for workers' compensation coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health coverage by allowing PTSD claims under workers' comp, removing prior exclusion and enabling treatment access for affected workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation coverage for PTSD claims, protecting county coroners and investigators by allowing injury claims previously excluded under workers' comp rules.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1987: Developing a statewide food security strategy.

This bill requires Washington's Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy by July 1, 2027, in collaboration with state agencies (like Health, Social and Health Services, and Ecology), universities, and community organizations. The strategy must address food access and affordability, improve agricultural resilience by tackling barriers to farming and land use, and promote long-term solutions like urban agriculture and nutrition programs. It mandates specific focus areas including supporting farmers, empowering consumers to access healthy food, and advancing research, with the final plan submitted to the legislature by the deadline. The bill expires July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates nutrition programs and health-agency collaboration to address food access, a key public health determinant impacting healthcare outcomes.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1680: Improving access to patient care by increasing preventive dental care.

HB 1680 creates a new "oral preventive assistant" license in Washington, allowing trained professionals to perform specific preventive dental services under a dentist's supervision. It directly affects dental practices and patients seeking routine care by expanding who can provide services like cleanings (prophylaxis) and basic gum checks (periodontal probing) for patients with healthy mouths. The bill establishes training requirements, defines the scope of allowable tasks (such as dental assisting duties and non-invasive procedures), and mandates that dentists verify assistants' competency before assigning tasks. This aims to increase access to preventive dental care by adding a new tier of dental support staff, while maintaining dentist oversight for complex procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dental preventive services access via new licensed role, enhancing patient access to routine care under dental supervision.95% confidence

Track

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1114: Concerning the respiratory care interstate compact.

HB 1114 establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, an agreement among participating states. This compact allows respiratory therapists who are actively licensed in one member state to practice in other member states, thereby granting them a "compact privilege." The bill's purpose is to improve public access to respiratory therapy services, streamline the process for therapists to practice across state lines, and support relocating military members and their spouses. It also aims to address workforce shortages and enhance cooperation among states in regulating respiratory therapy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes interstate compact to improve access to respiratory therapy services by enabling licensed therapists to practice across states, directly enhancing patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1826: Establishing a right to repair for mobility equipment for persons with physical disabilities.

HB 1826 requires mobility equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and device owners with necessary parts, documentation, software, and tools at fair prices. It directly affects Washington residents who use mobility devices like power wheelchairs, scooters, and manual wheelchairs with power assists, addressing current repair delays averaging 4-7 weeks. The bill mandates that manufacturers make these resources available without unreasonable restrictions or costs, ensuring more repair options beyond manufacturer-authorized services. This aims to reduce delays that impact users' safety, employment, education, and daily living.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires manufacturers to provide repair resources for mobility devices, directly improving patient access to essential healthcare equipment and reducing repair delays affecting physical health access.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1242: Expanding professional licensing reporting requirements.

HB 1242 requires Washington's Department of Licensing to annually review 10% of state-licensed professions (completing a full review of all licenses within 10 years), producing detailed reports by August 31 each year. These reports must analyze license renewal fees, education/experience requirements, comparisons to other states, and whether regulations are the "least restrictive necessary" to protect public health and safety. The bill directly affects all professional boards and licensees by mandating transparency in licensing costs, renewal timelines, and regulatory justification. The reports will include data on license issuances, revocations, and recommendations for modifying or ending licenses, aiming to streamline oversight without unnecessary barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reviews to ensure licensing regulations are 'least restrictive necessary' to protect public health and safety, reducing unnecessary barriers for healthcare professionals and improving access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health Tags Licensing

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5531: Streamlining the home care worker background check process.

SB 5531 streamlines background checks for home care workers by removing automatic disqualification for certain past convictions after specific time periods pass (e.g., cannabis sales after 3 years, theft after 10 years, or assault/robbery after 5 years). It directly affects home care workers, long-term care providers, and contracted agencies working with vulnerable adults or children. Key provisions include allowing temporary unsupervised access for up to 30 days during a character review while maintaining a requirement for written notice to guardians about pending reviews. The bill also clarifies that agencies may use discretion in reviewing past convictions, with a rebuttable presumption supporting their decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves automatic disqualification for certain past convictions after time periods, promoting second chances for workers with criminal records aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers for home care workers, improving access to long-term care services for vulnerable patients.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves automatic disqualification for past convictions after time periods, reducing employment barriers for home care workers and advancing their right to work.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1583: Concerning medicaid coverage for traditional health care practices.

HB 1583 requires Washington's Health Care Authority to apply for a federal waiver by September 1, 2025, to expand Medicaid coverage for "traditional health care practices" delivered through specific facilities. These practices include indigenous health knowledge and services provided by Indian Health Service facilities, tribally operated facilities under federal law, or urban Indian organizations. Coverage would be available to Medicaid beneficiaries receiving care at these facilities, but only if the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approves the waiver. The bill does not change current Medicaid rules but seeks to add this coverage option through a federal waiver process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for indigenous health services, increasing access to traditional care under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 5395: Making improvements to transparency and accountability in the prior authorization determination process.

SB 5395 requires health insurance carriers in Washington to improve transparency in prior authorization decisions for medical treatments and prescriptions. It sets strict time limits: carriers must decide on electronic standard requests within 3 days and expedited requests within 1 day, with clear communication if more information is needed. The bill mandates that denials include the credentials of the reviewing provider and requires carriers to use evidence-based clinical criteria that are updated annually and accessible in plain language. These rules directly affect insurance companies, doctors, and patients by making coverage decisions faster and more transparent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates faster insurer decisions, clear denial explanations, and evidence-based criteria - improving patient access and transparency in coverage approval process.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance