Thank you to all our members who joined us in Olympia for Hospital Advocacy Day last week! We are pleased to report that more than 80 hospital leaders joined us to meet with state legislators, sharing real stories and data illustrating the challenges and opportunities for hospitals.

Friday, Feb. 21, is the first cutoff of session, when most bills will need to pass from their policy committees of origin to continue advancing.

This week’s top bills with hearings in Olympia

HB 1123/SB 5083: Ensuring access to primary care, behavioral health, and affordable hospital services (PEBB/SEBB)

WSHA opposes HB 1123/SB 5083, which would require hospitals to contract with any PEBB or SEBB plan. Payment rates would be capped at the lesser of 1) billed charges or 2) 200% of the Medicare rate. The bills give hospitals little leverage when insurers behave badly or increase their prior authorization requirements. The payment cut to hospitals would shift costs onto commercial payers.

The Senate Committee on Ways & Means will hold a public hearing on SB 5083 Thursday, Feb. 20. WSHA will testify in opposition. Click here to sign in CON on SB 5083. (Ashlen Strong)

SB 5683: Concerning health carrier transparency of payment timeliness of claims submitted by health care providers and health care facilities

WSHA strongly supports SB 5683, which requires health insurance carriers to publicly report to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Health Care Authority metrics related to timeliness of payment. The bill was introduced to address concerns that payment timeliness from carriers, health plans and managed care organizations contribute to the financial vulnerability of health care providers and facilities. WSHA played a key role in drafting this legislation.

The Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care will hold a public hearing on SB 5683 Thursday, Feb. 20, and WSHA will testify in support. Click here to sign in PRO on SB 5683. (Andrew Busz)

HB 1392/SB 5372: Creating the Medicaid access program

WSHA strongly supports HB 1392/SB 5372, which establishes the Medicaid Access Program, which seeks to increase Medicaid professional services rates. HB 1392 had its first public hearing last week, but its companion, SB 5372, will be up for its first hearing this week. The program would increase fee-for-service and managed care payments up to corresponding Medicare rates as of Dec. 31, 2024. Medicare pays on average about 80% of cost. The Washington State Medical Association is leading this proposal. Read more about these bills in the Feb. 10 Inside Olympia.

The Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care will hold a public hearing on SB 5372 on Thursday, Feb. 20. WSHA will sign in support. Click here to sign in PRO on SB 5372. (Andrew Busz)

WSHA weighing in: Feb. 17-22

Monday, Feb. 17

  • House Appropriations
    • HB 1272: Extending the program to address complex cases of children in crisis. (Cara Helmer)
  • Senate Law & Justice
    • SB 5745 Concerning appointed counsel for individuals detained under the involuntary treatment act. (Cara Helmer)

Tuesday, Feb. 18

  • House Local Government
    • HB 1946: Clarifying tribal membership on local boards of health. (Cara Helmer)
  • Senate Labor & Commerce
    • SB 5437: Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements. (Cara Helmer)
    • SB 5539: Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program. (Remy Kerr)

Thursday, Feb. 20

  • Senate Health & Long Term Care
    • SB 5273: Concerning the availability of community violence prevention and intervention services. (Katerina LaMarche)
    • SB 5372: Concerning the availability of community violence prevention and intervention services. (Andrew Busz)
    • SB 5683: Concerning health carrier transparency of payment timeliness of claims submitted by health care providers and health care facilities. See article above. (Andrew Busz)
  • Senate Ways & Means
    • SSB 5083: Ensuring access to primary care, behavioral health, and affordable hospital services. See article above. (Ashlen Strong/Mary Storace)

Saturday, Feb. 22

  • House Appropriations
    • SHB 1213: Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program. (Remy Kerr)

Thank you for testifying!

Thank you to everyone who testified in support of WSHA’s legislative efforts last week:

  • Cathy Bambrick, Astria Toppenish Hospital
  • Mike Glenn, Jefferson Healthcare
  • David Hargreaves, MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital
  • Andrew Jones, Confluence Health