Healthcare (Primary Care)

in committee · Washington · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 2748: Using preceptorships to train primary care physicians.

This bill requires Washington's health care board to measure and report on primary care spending, aiming to increase it to 12 percent of total health care expenditures. It mandates annual reports detailing how much is spent on primary care by different insurance carriers and providers, along with recommendations for overcoming data barriers. The legislation also directs the board to study the costs of preceptorships used to train primary care physicians in hospitals and clinical settings, with a final report due by December 2027. These actions are intended to address the shortage of primary care providers in rural and underserved areas while ensuring the data collection does not create excessive administrative burdens.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to increase primary care spending to 12% and study preceptorship training, strengthening healthcare workforce and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 6360: Establishing the family medicine residency training grant program.

This bill creates a grant program to fund family medicine residency positions at community health centers located in rural and underserved urban areas, aiming to address physician shortages in these communities. The program requires funded residency programs to offer at least two new positions each year, with requirements increasing as programs expand from first-year to third-year training slots. Funding for the program comes from a portion of tobacco taxes, with the first $7 million collected annually deposited into a dedicated account for grants and administrative costs. The bill also mandates a performance audit every five years to evaluate whether residency training at community health centers influences where physicians choose to practice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses tobacco tax revenue to fund family medicine residency positions, strengthening healthcare access in underserved areas through increased government spending on essential services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates grant program to fund family medicine residency positions, addressing physician shortages in underserved areas and improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6356: Using preceptorships to train primary care physicians.

SB 6356 requires Washington's health care board to track and report on primary care spending, aiming to increase it to 12% of total health care expenditures. It mandates annual reports detailing primary care spending by payer, provider type, and service area (like physical vs. behavioral health), while analyzing barriers to data collection and defining "primary care" consistently. The bill also directs the board to study costs of preceptorships (supervised clinical training for doctors) by 2027, specifically to address provider shortages in rural and underserved areas. These reports and studies will guide strategies to expand primary care access without increasing administrative burdens or overall health care costs. The law directly affects health care providers, insurers, and the state's health care board through new reporting obligations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates increasing primary care spending to 12% of healthcare expenditures and requires tracking/reporting to improve funding allocation and access, directly advancing healthcare funding goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 16, 2026

HB 2522: Advancing oral health equity and protecting access to preventive dental care.

HB 2522 requires dental insurance plans to cover preventive services like fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral cancer screenings without age limits or frequency restrictions. It applies directly to dental-only insurance carriers, ensuring patients - especially vulnerable populations - receive essential care without arbitrary coverage barriers. The bill mandates that insurers pay for related services (e.g., oral hygiene instruction) when provided alongside preventive care. This aims to improve early intervention access and align with recognized dental standards, addressing gaps created by federal policy discussions and private sector coverage limitations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dental insurance coverage for preventive services without age/frequency limits, expands access for vulnerable populations, and protects essential oral health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5967: Preserving access to preventive services by clarifying state authority and definitions.

SB 5967 requires most health plans in Washington to cover specific preventive services without cost-sharing, including evidence-based care rated A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and CDC-recommended immunizations. It clarifies that coverage must follow federal guidelines as of June 30, 2025, and updates requirements for plans issued after April 1, 2026. The bill also gives Washington’s Department of Health authority to issue immunization guidance without needing formal rulemaking. This directly affects health insurance plans and Washington residents accessing preventive care like screenings, vaccinations, and wellness visits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for preventive services (A/B USPSTF/CDC) in health plans, expanding access to evidence-based care per federal guidelines.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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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

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5947: Establishing the Washington health care board.

SB 5947 establishes a 19-member Washington Health Care Board to design a universal health care plan for all state residents. The board must develop the plan, secure federal approval and funding through a waiver, and recommend legislative changes before implementation. It includes specific representation: employers, health providers (like primary care doctors and nurses), tribal leaders, labor, and health financing experts. The bill cannot take effect until federal law permits states to create such a plan with federal funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes universal healthcare plan for all residents, expanding coverage access through a dedicated board and federal waiver process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1674: Concerning hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening.

HB 1674 requires Washington state primary care health care entities to offer hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening during annual visits, wellness checkups, or a new patient's first visit, following CDC guidelines. It allows entities to comply through direct patient offers, EHR prompts, or patient mailers, with exceptions for emergencies, prior screening, or lack of patient consent. If screening is positive, providers must offer follow-up care or referrals per clinical guidelines, and all providers must complete required hepatitis training by January 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes culturally appropriate screenings and clarifies it doesn’t change existing provider responsibilities or impose licensure penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates routine hepatitis B/C screening in primary care, expanding preventive healthcare access per CDC guidelines without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5226: Establishing funding for physician residency positions dedicated to international medical graduates.

SB 5226 establishes a state grant program to fund physician residency positions specifically for international medical graduates (IMGs) in Washington. It requires at least 75% of funded slots in approved specialties (like family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry) to be filled by IMGs, with programs needing a national residency matching program waiver and accreditation. Residency programs receiving funds must report demographic data and usage details annually, and the program expires on July 1, 2032. This directly affects Washington state residency programs and IMGs seeking U.S. medical training opportunities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds IMG physician residencies in critical specialties (family medicine, pediatrics), expanding healthcare workforce access and addressing provider shortages through direct state funding.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds 75% IMG-focused physician residencies, directly advancing immigrant healthcare access and integration through state-funded programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1693: Providing an exemption for women, infants, and children program staff to perform hematological screening tests.

HB 1693 exempts WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program staff from standard medical licensing requirements to perform specific blood tests. The bill allows WIC clinic staff to conduct hematological screening tests using heel-stick, toe-stick, or finger-stick methods directly at clinics. This change enables WIC staff to quickly screen for conditions like anemia in infants and mothers without needing separate medical licenses, streamlining access to routine health evaluations. The exemption applies only to these limited, non-invasive tests within the WIC program's scope.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts WIC staff from licensing to perform hematological screenings, improving access to preventive health services for infants and mothers without barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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