Healthcare (Medicaid)

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

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1482: Assuring equity in health coverage.

HB 1482 creates a state-funded Apple Health Expansion program to provide no-cost health coverage to Washington residents ineligible for federal health programs due to immigration status. It directly affects over 1 million immigrants in Washington who face structural barriers to coverage, including undocumented individuals with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. Key provisions include establishing a Medicaid-equivalent program with identical benefits to federal coverage (excluding long-term services), extending financial assistance for health/dental plans to match Affordable Care Act subsidies, and requiring a community accountability committee with immigrant representation to monitor service quality. The bill also mandates culturally appropriate outreach and requires annual reports to the legislature on program implementation and costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded Apple Health Expansion for 1M+ immigrants ineligible for federal coverage, expanding access and equity in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides no-cost health coverage to undocumented immigrants excluded from federal programs, directly advancing immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health benefits (a worker benefit) to 1M+ immigrants excluded from federal coverage, enhancing workforce well-being and access to essential care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5372: Creating the medicaid access program.

SB 5372 creates the Medicaid Access Program to fund increased payments to Medicaid providers. It requires health insurers (health carriers) to pay $0.50 per covered person per month and Medicaid managed care organizations to pay $18 per covered person per month. Assessments are capped at 3 million member months per organization and must fund professional services rate increases for Medicaid providers. The program’s implementation depends on federal approval of state plan changes and state budget funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates assessments on insurers/MCOs to fund Medicaid provider rate increases, directly advancing public healthcare funding within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid Access Program requiring increased payments to providers ($0.50/$18 per member) to fund rate increases, directly advancing healthcare provider funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1805: Creating a local sales and use tax to fund services for children and families that enhance well-being, promote mental health, and provide early interventions.

HB 1805 proposes a local 0.01% sales and use tax in Washington counties to fund additional services for children and families. The tax would generate revenue specifically for mental health support, early intervention programs, child care, school-based health services, shelter, rental assistance, and transportation. Counties could implement this tax via resolution or ordinance, with funds restricted to the listed services that address gaps in current Medicaid and behavioral health programs. The bill aims to support children and families early to improve well-being and reduce long-term needs like youth violence and substance use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a new local 0.01% sales tax to fund mental health, childcare, and family services, directly increasing public funding for essential programs within budget constraints.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school-based health services (directly supporting student well-being and access to education) and addresses gaps in educational support systems through targeted funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health, early interventions, school-based health services, and behavioral health programs through new local tax to address Medicaid gaps.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds 'rental assistance' and 'shelter' as core services, directly supporting affordable housing and tenant stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Student Health Medicaid Mental Health Renters

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5481: Providing access to behavioral health services to children using licensed clinicians colocated within the school.

SB 5481 requires Washington state managed care organizations to reimburse schools for behavioral health services provided by licensed clinicians directly within school settings to Medicaid-enrolled students. This applies even if the service provider is not part of the managed care organization's network, unless equivalent in-network services are already available at the school. The bill aims to address barriers like transportation and stigma by making these services more accessible, particularly for children in rural or underserved communities. It updates state law (chapter 71.24 RCW) to mandate this reimbursement structure for school-based care.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses schools for school-based behavioral health services, expanding student access to mental health care and addressing barriers like transportation/stigma, directly enhancing educational support systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reimbursement for school-based behavioral health services to Medicaid students, removing access barriers like transportation/stigma, directly expanding mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Medicaid Mental Health

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5407: Delaying the rebasing of the nursing home payment rates to 2028.

SB 5407 delays the annual recalibration (rebasement) of nursing home payment rates under Washington's capital component system from 2023 to 2028. This bill directly affects nursing homes receiving state Medicaid payments in Washington, as it postpones the update to their facility-based payment rates. The key mechanism is amending the law to require a single rebasing in 2028 instead of annual adjustments, maintaining current payment rates for the capital component until that date. This change applies specifically to the capital component of the payment system, which calculates rates based on facility age, square footage, and rental values.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDelays annual payment rate adjustments for nursing homes, maintaining current rates until 2028, effectively deferring necessary funding increases that would support healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1634: Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.

HB 1634 establishes regional school safety centers in Washington state to help public school districts coordinate behavioral health support for students. The centers will provide training for school staff on suicide prevention, facilitate partnerships between schools and community health providers, offer Medicaid billing assistance, and support school-based threat assessment programs. This bill directly affects all public school districts, their staff (including counselors and psychologists), and students needing behavioral health services by improving access to existing resources through coordinated planning. It amends state law to require these centers to work with tribes and community partners to ensure culturally responsive support. The bill focuses on strengthening existing systems rather than creating new programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes regional centers for school behavioral health support, training, and partnerships - directly strengthening student mental health services in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regional centers to coordinate student behavioral health services, including suicide prevention training, Medicaid billing assistance, and school-community health partnerships, directly advancing mental health support in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Testing & Assessment Medicaid Mental Health

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1476: Delaying the rebasing of the nursing home payment rates to 2028.

HB 1476 delays the scheduled rebasing of Medicaid nursing home payment rates from fiscal year 2027 to 2028. This freezes current reimbursement rates at 2025 levels for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects nursing home providers (who receive Medicaid payments) and Medicaid beneficiaries (who rely on these facilities for care). The key mechanism is postponing the required rate adjustment to maintain financial stability for providers and prevent disruptions in care quality during the freeze period.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDelays Medicaid payment rate increases, freezing current spending levels for nursing homes and reducing state budget outlays for this program during 2026-2027.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDelays Medicaid nursing home payment rate increases, effectively freezing reimbursement at 2025 levels. This defers necessary funding adjustments, risking provider financial strain and potential service reductions for beneficiaries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5648: Encouraging achieving a better life experience accounts.

SB 5648 creates a new "ENABLE account" within Washington's state treasurer's office to support the state's ABLE program. The account will use state funds, federal money, and donations to directly help eligible individuals with disabilities who have ABLE accounts by reducing their annual fees (up to $50 per account) and depositing $1,000 into existing accounts as of July 1, 2025, plus $1,000 into new accounts opened after that date. It also allocates funds for program promotion and administrative costs, aiming to increase participation without affecting eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid. The bill does not change disability eligibility criteria but focuses on lowering costs and expanding access to the existing ABLE program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to reduce fees and deposit $1,000 into ABLE accounts, funding essential disability support program through fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces ABLE account fees and deposits funds, supporting financial access for disabled individuals' healthcare eligibility and coverage under Medicaid/SSI programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1813: Concerning the reprocurement of medical assistance services, including the realignment of behavioral health crisis services for medicaid enrollees.

HB 1813 realigns the administration of behavioral health crisis services for Medicaid enrollees in Washington state. Beginning January 1, 2027, behavioral health administrative services organizations (BHASOs) will contract to administer these crisis services, taking over from managed care organizations. The bill requires a comprehensive funding analysis by January 1, 2026, to ensure BHASOs can adequately support all individuals needing behavioral health services, regardless of insurance status. It also mandates a transition plan for this shift and directs the development of a strategic plan for the future reprocurement of all medical assistance services, including stakeholder input.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRealignment of behavioral health crisis services to BHASOs with mandatory funding analysis ensures continued access and support for Medicaid enrollees, strengthening mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health