OLYMPIA — A bill to restrict corporate involvement in medical care decisions was heard in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee Friday.
Senate Bill 5387, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), would establish restrictions on corporate ownership and management practices that could undermine providers’ clinical decision-making authority. The bill builds on existing case law to ensure only licensed medical professionals determine how and when care is provided.
“Across the country, we’re seeing private equity firms and large corporations buy up medical practices and insert financial motives into decisions that should be based solely on patient care,” Robinson said. “Patients deserve to know that when they see a doctor, their care is guided by medical expertise, not corporate profit margins.”
The recent Health Care Affordability Report found that nearly 100 private equity acquisitions have occurred in Washington’s health care sector over the past decade, affecting primary, specialty, and hospice care. The bill prohibits corporate entities from setting policies that could impact appointment lengths, patient discharge decisions, and treatment options.
Follow its progress here.
