{"id":3134,"date":"2026-01-23T14:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/robinson\/?p=3134"},"modified":"2026-01-23T14:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:04:18","slug":"what-im-working-on-this-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/robinson\/2026\/01\/23\/what-im-working-on-this-session\/","title":{"rendered":"What I\u2019m working on this session"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friends and neighbors,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we move through the 2026 legislative session, I want to share a quick update on the work I am focused on in Olympia, including protecting patient care, leading the Senate\u2019s supplemental budget process as Ways & Means chair, and staying engaged on issues you are reaching out about.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for staying involved and for continuing to share your perspective with me.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of my top priorities is expanding access to affordable health care while also improving patient care and supporting the medical professionals who deliver it every day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That is why I am sponsoring\u00a0<\/span>Senate Bill 5387<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This bill updates Washington\u2019s long-standing \u201ccorporate practice of medicine\u201d protections by putting clear guardrails on corporate involvement in health care. It strengthens transparency around financial arrangements and helps ensure providers can make independent clinical decisions based on what is best for the patient,\u00a0not what is best for a business model.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 5387 also protects providers working in licensed facilities by reinforcing that clinical judgment belongs with licensed professionals instead of non-clinical corporate actors.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we protect clinical decision-making and strengthen workplaces for health care workers, we improve care for patients and build a system Washingtonians can trust.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET YEAR<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As I said in\u00a0<\/span>my last e-newsletter update<\/span><\/b><\/a>, one of my biggest responsibilities this session is helping lead the work on Washington\u2019s supplemental budget.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So,\u00a0what does \u201csupplemental budget\u201d\u00a0actually mean?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every two years, the Legislature adopts a full operating budget that funds core services across Washington \u2014 things like K-12 schools, health care, behavioral health, public safety, housing supports, and services for seniors and people with disabilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the \u201coff\u201d year, we pass a supplemental budget to make updates and adjustments. This is not a complete rebuild of the budget\u00a0but\u00a0a chance to respond to what has changed since the last budget was adopted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That can include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n