House passes Cleveland bill to remove cost barrier and ensure more equitable access to abortion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 7, 2023 

Press Inquiries | 360.786.7298, erin.hut@leg.wa.gov 

OLYMPIA – Sen. Annette Cleveland’s (D-Vancouver) bill to restrict cost-sharing for abortions passed the House of Representatives Friday.  

Too often, patients do not know co-insurance and cost-sharing may be required for their care. This unexpected expense leaves many scrambling to come up with hundreds of dollars to cover the cost, and for many, that cost is a barrier that is impossible to overcome.  

Senate Bill 5242 will relieve patients of that unexpected barrier.  

“This is a historic step in making reproductive care not only more accessible, but equitable and fair,” Cleveland said. “Nobody should be unable to receive the care they need simply because of their inability to pay.”  

SB 5242 now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for his signature.