Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1677: Concerning access at public postsecondary educational institutions to medication abortion.

HB 1677 requires all public universities in Washington with student health centers to offer medication abortion services by the 2026-27 academic year, either directly or via telehealth referrals. For universities without student health centers, the bill mandates providing confidential referrals to abortion providers, telehealth support, and campus spaces for virtual appointments. It also requires all institutions to maintain a website with clear reproductive health resources, including academic accommodation options for pregnancy-related needs. The bill directly affects approximately 196,000 college students facing significant travel and wait-time barriers to abortion care, aiming to make services as accessible as possible within campus health systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates medication abortion access at public universities, expanding reproductive healthcare services and improving patient access to abortion care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SJR 8204: Amending the Constitution to address reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care.

This bill proposes adding a new constitutional article (Article XXXIII) to Washington State's constitution, directly affecting all residents by establishing legal protections for reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care. It would prohibit the state from denying or interfering with an individual's rights to choose abortion, contraception, assisted reproductive technology, or gender-affirming care, and from discriminating based on pregnancy outcomes. The key mechanism requires voters to approve this amendment in the next general election, as the bill mandates submitting it for ratification. If approved, these protections would become part of the state constitution, overriding conflicting laws. The amendment explicitly states it does not limit existing rights to liberty, privacy, or equal protection under the law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects access to reproductive and gender-affirming care, directly advancing healthcare rights and access per constitutional protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5075: Concerning cost sharing for prenatal and postnatal care.

SB 5075 prohibits most health plans from charging copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing fees for specific prenatal and postnatal services starting in 2026. It covers in-network office visits, ultrasounds, vitamins, and follow-up care like cesarean recovery during the pregnancy period (from first pregnancy-related claim until delivery) and for 12 weeks after birth (up to one year for complications). Prescription drugs for pregnancy-related conditions are also exempt from cost-sharing starting in 2027. The bill applies to nongrandfathered health plans in Washington, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum individuals by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these essential services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for prenatal/postnatal care, expanding access to essential maternity services and protecting patient financial rights per healthcare indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Women's Health

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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

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5713: Concerning chemical abortion.

SB 5713 creates new court procedures to protect patient anonymity in abortion-related legal cases and establishes civil penalties for healthcare providers who violate specific requirements for chemical abortions. It requires courts to seal records and issue orders preserving patient identity without consent, mandates lawsuits by specific parties (like patients or family members), and imposes $5,000 daily fines on providers for violations. Penalties collected fund pregnancy resource centers that do not perform or refer for abortions. The bill explicitly prohibits penalties against patients and clarifies definitions of "abortion-inducing drug" and "abortion pill provider."

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareImposes $5k daily fines on providers violating chemical abortion requirements, restricting access to abortion services and funding alternatives instead of supporting healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1291: Concerning cost sharing for maternity services.

HB 1291 aims to reduce upfront costs for individuals receiving maternity services through their health plans in Washington State. Starting January 1, 2026, most health plans will no longer require enrollees to meet their deductible before covering in-network delivery services, such as vaginal or C-section births. Any out-of-pocket costs paid for these services will still count towards the enrollee's total deductible. For health plans linked to Health Savings Accounts, deductibles for delivery services will be set at the minimum level required to maintain the HSA's tax-exempt status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces deductibles for maternity services, improving access to in-network birth care without upfront costs, directly expanding health coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5642: Improving performance on maternal health and preventative cancer screening metrics for medicaid clients.

SB 5642 requires Washington’s Health Care Authority to develop education materials by December 2025 to improve breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, prenatal care timing, and postpartum care for Medicaid clients. It mandates an implementation plan to incentivize Medicaid insurance plans and standard care settings to meet these health metrics, including adopting a new billing code (0500F) for early pregnancy identification. The bill also requires annual reports starting in 2028 tracking specific outcomes like screening rates, care timeliness, and cost savings. This directly affects Medicaid clients in Washington, particularly women needing preventive cancer screenings and maternal health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates education, incentives, and new billing code to improve Medicaid maternal/cancer screening access and outcomes, directly advancing preventive care metrics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2041: Concerning postpartum coverage.

HB 2041 concerns postpartum health care coverage for residents of Washington state. Until June 30, 2026, the bill requires the state to provide 12 months of continuous postpartum health care coverage to individuals with incomes up to 210% of the federal poverty level. After this date, the continuous postpartum coverage period will be six months, maintaining the 210% income threshold. The bill also directs the state to prioritize maximizing federal funding for eligible individuals and mandates annual reporting from managed care organizations on maternal health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends postpartum health coverage from 6 to 12 months (until 2026) for low-income individuals, expanding access to health services and insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1445: Developing the Washington health trust.

HB 1445 would create a state-run Washington Health Trust to provide universal, comprehensive health coverage to all Washington residents, eliminating premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The trust would cover essential health benefits including primary care, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health services, and maternity care for everyone, regardless of income, race, or immigration status. It prohibits discrimination by providers and requires all qualified health care facilities to participate, with the trust paying providers directly for covered services. The bill aims to replace fragmented private and public insurance systems with a single unified financing structure to simplify administration and reduce costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates universal coverage eliminating cost barriers and expanding mental health services, directly advancing healthcare access and benefits for all residents.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly covers all residents regardless of immigration status, providing universal health services without discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5233: Developing the Washington health trust.

SB 5233 would create a new Washington Health Trust, a unified nonprofit entity to provide universal health coverage to all Washington residents without premiums, deductibles, or copayments. The bill establishes a single financing system replacing the current patchwork of private and public plans, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage for essential health benefits including primary care, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health services, and maternity care. It prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, immigration status, or other protected characteristics and requires all qualified providers to accept the trust’s reimbursement rates as payment in full. The trust would administer coverage for all residents, including nonresidents employed or studying in Washington, while preserving tribal health funding under existing law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates universal no-cost coverage including mental health services, expanding access beyond current system with comprehensive benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Women's Health

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