Healthcare

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1432: Improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services.

HB 1432 aims to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services for individuals in Washington state. The bill updates mental health parity laws, requiring health insurance carriers to base medical necessity determinations on generally accepted standards of care and recommendations from nonprofit health care provider associations. It defines "medically necessary" to align with these standards, ensuring services address patient needs and are clinically appropriate. The legislation also expands the definition of covered mental health services over time, including prescription drugs and updated diagnostic categories for health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates mental health parity laws to require insurance coverage based on clinical standards, improving access to mental health services per bill summary.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 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 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

passed both · Washington · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SJM 8004: Concerning Universal Health Care.

Senate Joint Memorial 8004 is a petition from the Washington State Legislature to the federal government regarding universal health care. It requests that the federal government either establish a national universal health care program for all U.S. residents, or partner with Washington state to reduce barriers for the state to implement its own universal health system. Failing those, the memorial asks the federal government to grant Washington state the necessary waivers to create its own universal health care system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly requests federal action for universal health care, expanding coverage to all residents and reducing barriers for state implementation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1531: Preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases.

House Bill 1531 establishes a state policy that public health responses to communicable diseases must be guided by the best available science and evidence-based measures, including immunizations and vaccines. It requires state and local health officials to implement and promote these measures within available resources. The bill also prohibits the state or any local government from enacting laws or policies that forbid the implementation and promotion of such measures, declaring any existing prohibitive policies null and void. This legislation clarifies the ability of public health officials to use scientifically proven methods to control disease spread, without creating new requirements for individuals to receive vaccines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates science-based public health measures including immunizations/vaccines, requires implementation within resources, and prohibits restrictions on such programs, directly advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1669: Concerning coverage requirements for prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces.

Substitute House Bill 1669 mandates that health plans offered in Washington's large and small group markets must provide coverage for medically necessary prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces. This directly affects individuals enrolled in these plans by ensuring access to devices needed for daily living, job-related tasks, and various physical activities. The bill requires coverage for materials, instruction, and reasonable repair or replacement, including replacements due to changes in a patient's condition or significant device damage. It also prohibits denying coverage to enrollees with disabilities if similar services would be covered for non-disabled individuals, while allowing for standard utilization management. These requirements apply to plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for prosthetics/orthotics, expanding access to essential medical devices under health plans per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1215: Removing references to pregnancy from the model directive form under the natural death act.

House Bill 1215 modifies Washington state's Natural Death Act by changing the model health care directive form, often referred to as a living will. The bill removes a specific section which currently states that a directive has no legal effect if the person who created it is diagnosed as pregnant. This change ensures that an individual's end-of-life health care directives remain valid regardless of pregnancy status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves pregnancy restriction from end-of-life care directives, protecting patient rights for pregnant individuals in healthcare decisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare