Healthcare

signed · Washington · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2548: Strengthening health care market standards.

HB 2548 amends Washington state law to require 60-day advance notice to the Attorney General for significant healthcare entity transactions. It directly affects hospitals, hospital systems, and provider organizations (like physician groups or accountable care organizations) when they plan mergers, acquisitions, or changes in ownership structure. The bill mandates this notice for transactions involving entities generating $10 million+ in Washington patient revenue, or for conversions from nonprofit to for-profit status. This procedural requirement aims to increase transparency before major market shifts, without altering healthcare coverage or costs. The bill is currently pending in committee after failing to pass in the House.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency for healthcare mergers to prevent anti-competitive practices, directly strengthening market standards as stated in title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 6194: Allowing payments to be made based on allowable costs for services provided by any rural hospital that is located on a federally recognized Indian reservation.

SB 6194 changes how Washington State pays rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations for medical assistance services. It requires payments to be based on the hospital's actual allowable costs (not fixed rates) for services provided, but only if the hospital maintains no more than 25 inpatient beds (excluding psychiatric beds). This applies to hospitals not designated as "critical access hospitals" by Medicare after January 1, 2026, while those with that designation follow existing rules. The bill specifically targets these reservation-based rural hospitals to ensure cost-based funding supports essential care like emergency and primary services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareChanges payment method to actual allowable costs for rural Indian reservation hospitals, preventing underfunding and ensuring continued access to medical services in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Mental Health

signed · Washington · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2340: Applying substance use disorder monitoring program provisions to nursing assistants.

HB 2340 extends substance use disorder monitoring program protections to nursing assistants who are credentialed under Washington state law. It prohibits public posting of enforcement actions against these professionals if they comply with a board-approved monitoring program. The bill creates a stipend program covering up to 80% of eligible out-of-pocket costs for program participation, including treatment, evaluations, and peer support. Nursing assistants must apply for the stipend, demonstrate financial need, and actively participate in the program to qualify. The board must publicly report program participation and expenses annually.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides stipend covering 80% of treatment costs for nursing assistants' substance use disorder, directly supporting mental health services and workforce access to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Washington · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 2558: Concerning the mental health sentencing alternative.

HB 2558 creates a mental health sentencing alternative for Washington defendants convicted of specific felonies who have a diagnosed psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychosis) and meet strict eligibility criteria. To qualify, defendants must have no prior violent convictions in 10 years, consent to treatment, and have their untreated psychosis identified as a key factor in their crime. If approved, the court replaces standard sentencing with 12-36 months of community supervision (instead of prison), requiring a detailed treatment plan with medication management, monthly progress reviews for six months, and quarterly checks thereafter. This option applies only when the court determines it benefits both the defendant and community, considering victim input, and excludes certain serious offenses like domestic violence without victim consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates mental health treatment alternative to incarceration for eligible defendants, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mental health treatment alternative to incarceration for eligible defendants with psychotic disorders, directly supporting mental health services integration into sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Mental Health

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2242: Preserving access to preventive services by clarifying state authority and definitions.

HB 2242 clarifies and preserves access to preventive health services covered by most Washington health insurance plans. It requires plans issued after April 1, 2026, to cover evidence-based services like vaccinations, cancer screenings, and other preventive care without cost-sharing, based on current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) ratings and CDC recommendations. The bill updates coverage requirements to align with federal guidelines as of June 30, 2025, and allows the state Department of Health to issue immunization guidance without standard rulemaking. This directly affects Washington residents using health insurance and insurers offering new or updated plans, ensuring consistent access to preventive care without adding new requirements for patient consent or immunization mandates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for preventive services (vaccinations, screenings) per USPSTF/CDC, preserving access to evidence-based care without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 5981: Protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program.

SB 5981 prevents drug manufacturers from restricting how Washington's safety net providers (like community health centers, hospitals serving low-income patients, and HIV clinics) use contract pharmacies to dispense discounted 340B medications. It prohibits manufacturers from denying access to these drugs, blocking contract pharmacy arrangements, or demanding extra data as a condition for supply. The bill allows covered entities to sue for violations, with penalties up to $5,000 per drug package, and requires annual reporting of 340B program activity. This directly protects vulnerable patients' access to affordable medications while safeguarding funding that safety net providers rely on for community services like screenings and financial assistance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents drug manufacturers from restricting access to discounted 340B medications for safety net providers, directly improving patient access to affordable healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · Washington · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 2382: Concerning excise taxes on cigarettes, vapor products, and tobacco products.

HB 2382 adds a $0.10 tax per cigarette and updates tax rates for vapor and tobacco products. It directs new tax revenue to three specific accounts: the first $10 million yearly funds emergency medical services (like stroke and heart attack care), the next $2 million supports tobacco enforcement efforts, and 10% of remaining revenue after 2028 goes to public health services. This affects cigarette manufacturers, vapor product sellers, and tobacco retailers who pay the taxes. The bill also modifies vapor product tax rates to 95% of sales price and adjusts tobacco tax calculations for certain products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes new tobacco taxes to fund emergency medical services, enforcement, and public health programs, directly allocating revenue to public service priorities.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates tax revenue to emergency medical services and public health services, directly funding healthcare initiatives per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Public Health

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 6093: Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account.

SB 6093 imposes a tax on large companies' payroll expenses above a threshold (based on the additional Medicare tax threshold) to create the Well Washington Fund. Starting July 1, 2027, 51% of the tax revenue will fund healthcare (including Medicaid), higher education, food assistance programs, and housing initiatives. The bill directly affects large Washington-based companies with significant payroll, while supporting residents relying on these public services. The fund will help offset state budget shortfalls caused by federal funding cuts, with revenues specifically designated for these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on large companies' payroll to fund healthcare, education, food assistance, and housing via Well Washington Fund, directly advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates 51% of tax revenue to fund healthcare (including Medicaid) via the Well Washington Fund, directly advancing healthcare services and coverage.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 51% of tax revenue to housing initiatives under the Well Washington Fund, directly funding housing programs as stated in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6319: Concerning the extension of time for certain child welfare cases for children under the age of four.

SB 6319 requires Washington's child welfare department to create a community-based referral system for families with children under four where parental use of high-potency synthetic opioids is a factor in a child welfare case. The bill mandates that families receive referrals to substance use treatment, peer navigators, and other support services within seven days of a risk assessment, with services available for six months regardless of case status. Participation in these services must be voluntary, requiring written consent from parents or guardians. The department must develop this system by January 2027 and report on its implementation and impact by November 2027. This bill directly affects vulnerable families in child welfare cases involving opioid use, focusing on connecting them to community resources rather than altering court timelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates referrals to substance use treatment services, expanding healthcare access for families in child welfare cases involving opioid use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2394: Enhancing public safety and enforcement of crimes that impact insurance.

HB 2394 updates Washington's insurance fraud laws to better address modern schemes. It clarifies definitions of "insurer" to include health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations, and explicitly lists fraud types like submitting false medical bills, embezzling premiums, or misrepresenting insurance claims. The bill upgrades insurance fraud to a class B felony and requires restitution for insurers and victims. This directly affects insurers, consumers, and individuals committing fraud involving insurance claims or payments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill upgrades insurance fraud to class B felony (stricter sentencing) and mandates restitution, strengthening criminal justice enforcement against financial crimes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets healthcare insurance fraud (e.g., false medical bills), protecting insurers and consumers, thus supporting healthcare system integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Insurance

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