Dear friends and neighbors,
Affordability is the top issue you contact my office about, and I share your concern. The cost of living is just too damn high. So, over the next few weeks, I’m going to share with you how I’m working to make Washington more affordable.
With costs rising, I know you’re worried about being able to pay for necessary health care services and unexpected medical bills. No one in Washington should have to skip or delay getting medical care or prescriptions because of how much they cost.
In recent years, the Legislature has passed dozens of bills to increase health care access, coverage, affordability, and quality. This includes:
- Capping the cost of insulin at $35 and the total out-of-pocket cost for a 30-day supply of inhalers and epinephrine
- Allowing out-of-state health care providers to give Washington residents telehealth services that satisfy our standards of care
- Protecting people from being billed for emergency ambulance services beyond the costs covered by their health plans
- Requiring health plans to cover at least 14 days of inpatient substance use disorder treatment
- Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for people seeking abortion care
We’ve made great progress but still have much more to do.
Just this week, the Senate passed a bill to remove medical debt from credit scores. Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy, and this bill eases the financial burden that comes with treating chronic illness or visiting an emergency room. States like Colorado and California have enacted similar laws, and I’m proud that Washington is closer to joining them.
I’m also proud to support bills that would require certain health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment services, as well as secondary prosthetic limbs and custom orthotics for activities. These bills would ensure people aren’t paying out of pocket for costly critical care.
Other bills I’m supporting would improve hospital price transparency, ensure Medicaid continues to cover HIV antiviral medications, and require coverage for a 12-month supply of contraceptive medication.
Access to quality, affordable health care is essential for our wellbeing. As the legislative session continues, I’m committed to lowering medical costs, increasing access to care, and improving coverage.
Stay in touch
Your feedback and input are such an important part of the democratic process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov, and we will be more than happy to get in touch with you! You can also stay up to date by following my official legislative social media accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Talk soon!
Marko