Healthcare

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1382: Modernizing the all payers claim database.

HB 1382 modernizes Washington's statewide all-payer health care claims database, which collects medical and pharmacy claims data from various public and private health care payers. The bill updates reporting requirements and data disclosure standards for this database, aiming to improve transparency in health care costs and quality. It revises the process for selecting and overseeing the "lead organization" responsible for managing the database, allowing the Health Care Authority to either act as the lead or select one through a competitive process. Additionally, it specifies criteria for the lead organization and outlines entities, such as health plans or hospitals, that are ineligible for the role. The bill also details responsibilities for data vendors who collect and process the claims information to ensure data quality and security.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizes claims database to improve healthcare cost/quality transparency, directly advancing healthcare data accessibility and quality oversight per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1213: Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program.

HB 1213 expands protections for workers in Washington's state paid family and medical leave program. The bill requires the department to enhance outreach to employees, explaining their eligibility, application process, and reinstatement and nondiscrimination rights. It also mandates increased outreach to employers about their responsibilities and authorizes the department to audit employer records for compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies premium collection and calculation methods, and ensures the confidentiality of employee information within the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies premium collection methods for state paid leave program, ensuring proper fiscal management and program funding continuity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands protections for workers in medical leave program, enhancing access to healthcare services through improved eligibility outreach and employer compliance enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands worker protections in paid leave program via enhanced outreach, employer compliance audits, and clarified premium rules, directly strengthening employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 5632: Protecting the confidentiality of records and information that may be relevant to another state's enforcement of its laws.

Senate Bill 5632 aims to protect the confidentiality of records and information related to protected health care services that are lawful in Washington state, specifically defining these as gender-affirming treatment and reproductive health care services. The bill prevents Washington state courts, law enforcement, and agencies from cooperating with other states' investigations or legal actions that seek to impose civil or criminal penalties for these services. It also prohibits Washington-based electronic communication service providers from knowingly sharing information or complying with out-of-state legal processes concerning these services, unless an attestation confirms the request is not for enforcing another state's law against lawful care. This legislation directly affects individuals seeking or providing such care, as well as state government entities and certain businesses operating in Washington.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects confidentiality of gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare services, preventing out-of-state penalties and ensuring access to protected care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 5745: Concerning appointed counsel for individuals detained under the involuntary treatment act.

Senate Bill 5745 concerns legal representation for individuals detained under the involuntary treatment act. The bill amends various state laws to address the provisions for appointed legal counsel in these cases. It aims to clarify or modify how legal representation is provided for those facing involuntary commitment, directly affecting individuals subject to the act and the legal systems involved.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures legal representation for individuals in involuntary mental health treatment, protecting patient rights within healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 5337: Creating a certification for memory care services.

SB 5337 establishes a state certification for memory care services provided by licensed assisted living facilities in Washington. This bill aims to standardize memory care definitions and help consumers make informed choices for individuals with dementia. After July 1, 2026, facilities advertising or operating memory care units must be certified, requiring them to meet specific standards for physical infrastructure, staffing levels, and policies for resident safety and behavior. Certified facilities must also provide regular resident assessments, ensure staff complete annual dementia-related continuing education, and offer daily programming with varied activities tailored to residents' needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes memory care services for dementia patients, requiring certified facilities to meet safety/staffing standards, improving care quality and consumer choice in healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 5557: Codifying emergency rules to protect the right of a pregnant person to access treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments.

Senate Bill 5557 codifies emergency rules to ensure pregnant individuals receive timely treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments. The bill requires hospitals to provide care consistent with the applicable standard of care, including pregnancy termination if it is the medically appropriate treatment. It specifies that the continuation of a pregnancy or the health of an embryo or fetus cannot be prioritized over the pregnant person's health or safety, unless the patient provides informed consent. This legislation aims to protect access to emergency reproductive health care for pregnant patients in Washington state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals provide emergency care for pregnant persons including termination when medically necessary, protecting patient rights in ER treatment access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1971: Increasing access to prescription hormone therapy.

HB 1971 requires health plans to provide reimbursement for a 12-month refill of covered prescription hormone therapy, obtained at one time, for their enrollees. This aims to increase access to these medications for patients of all ages. Starting January 1, 2026, health plans must comply, unless the enrollee requests a smaller supply, the provider instructs a smaller supply, or the therapy is a controlled substance. The 12-month supply applies to medications that can be safely stored at room temperature, while controlled substances must be covered for the maximum refill allowed by law. Prescription hormone therapy is defined as FDA-approved drugs that medically adjust hormone levels, excluding certain glucagon-like peptide-1 medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 12-month coverage for hormone therapy, improving patient access to medications under insurance plans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5182: Concerning programs and services for incarcerated parents at the department of corrections.

SB 5182 requires the Department of Corrections to make reasonable accommodations for available midwifery and doula services for incarcerated individuals who are pregnant or have given birth within the last six weeks. It ensures that trained providers of these services are granted appropriate facility access, can assist during labor and childbirth when feasible, and can access relevant health information if authorized by the individual. The bill defines "doula services" and "midwifery services" and clarifies that the department is not required to fund or establish these services, but can adopt policy guidelines or partner with nonprofit organizations and volunteers to deliver them, ensuring they supplement routine health care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires healthcare accommodations for incarcerated pregnant individuals, advancing correctional rehabilitation and rights within criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare access for incarcerated pregnant individuals through midwifery/doula services, improving patient access to specialized care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5480: Protecting consumers by removing barriers created by medical debt.

Senate Bill 5480 aims to protect consumers by establishing new rules for medical debt. It updates the definition of "medical debt" and outlines specific provisions for how it can be handled. A central aspect of the bill makes medical debt void and unenforceable if a health care provider, facility, or collection agency unlawfully reports information about that debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. This legislation directly affects individuals with medical debt and the agencies involved in its collection and reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents unlawful credit reporting of medical debt, protecting patients from financial harm that restricts healthcare access. Directly aligns with patient rights and access indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare