SB 6173 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Creating an apple health employer assessment.

This bill creates a new assessment on employers with 100 or more employees that have at least one worker enrolled in Apple Health (Washington's Medicaid program) for 80+ hours per month. The assessment amount is calculated by multiplying the total "member months" (each month an employee works and is enrolled in Apple Health) by a set Medicaid expansion rate. Employers must pay the assessment quarterly to the Employment Security Department, with funds deposited into the state health care affordability account. This account can only be used for premium and cost-sharing assistance for low-income individuals, as specified by law.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
1 primary · 18 co-sponsors

Sponsors