Dear friends and neighbors,

This session the Legislature continued to work to ensure everyone in Washington has access to quality, affordable health care. We focused on addressing workforce and facility shortages, improving data collection on health care pricing and service availability, and strengthening long-term and behavioral health care.

We also worked to protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. We reaffirmed our state’s commitment to health care access, working to counteract harmful actions at the federal level. Just this week, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced plans to backfill the funding gap caused by the federal attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. Our Attorney General is also challenging that action in court.

Protecting Washingtonians from federal actions

  • SB 5498 requires insurers to cover a 12-month supply of birth control medication upon prescription or renewal, helping ensure continued access to care amid ongoing attacks on reproductive rights.
  • SB 5557 codifies the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in state law, guaranteeing emergency care for pregnant people and empowering the Department of Health to ensure hospital compliance.
  • SB 5577 codifies Apple Health’s coverage of HIV treatments without prior authorization, protecting uninterrupted access to lifesaving medications.
  • HB 1531 protects public health officials from political interference, ensuring decisions are based on public health science, not politics.
  • HB 1971 requires insurance coverage for a 12-month supply of hormone therapy. This supports access for transgender people, cancer patients, those experiencing menopause, and others who depend on this medication.

Increasing behavioral health care access

  • HB 1287 expands the list of providers who can share patient information for care coordination, helping improve behavioral health treatment outcomes.
  • HB 1432 strengthens Washington’s behavioral health parity law, aligns it with federal rules, and enhances enforcement by the state’s insurance commissioner.
  • HB 1718 ensures health care professionals can seek behavioral health care without fear of employer retaliation, while preserving patient safety standards.
  • HB 1813 transfers behavioral health crisis service oversight from managed care to Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, improving access and reducing provider barriers.

Strengthening long-term care

  • SB 5200 authorizes use of care programs approved by Veterans Affairs that meet state standards, reducing duplication and supporting veteran care options.
  • SB 5337 creates a memory care facility certification with minimum standards and gives enforcement authority to the Department of Social and Health Services.
  • SB 5672 extends flexibility for home care aide licensing and tasks the state auditor with assessing and addressing licensure backlogs.
  • SB 5691 affirms the attorney general’s authority to investigate issues in Continuing Care Retirement Communities and requires clearer resident contract.
  • HB 1142 aligns long-term care worker requirements across programs, helping prepare for WA Cares and making it easier for family caregivers to participate.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. If you missed my newsletters on public education, housing, community projects, transportation, environmental protections, LGBTQ rights, public safety, worker protections, consumer protections, or progressive revenue, they are available on my website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions at Jamie.Pedersen@leg.wa.gov.

Best wishes,

Jamie