It’s going to be another jam-packed week for bills in Olympia as we march toward the first policy cut off Feb. 21. WSHA’s bill to improve meal and rest break timing for hospital staff working 12-hour shifts is up for its first hearing this week. We drafted this bill in collaboration with the state’s three nursing unions. Read more below about the bill and how you can make your voice heard.
This week’s top bills with hearings in Olympia
HB 1879: Concerning meal and rest breaks for hospital workers
WSHA strongly supports HB 1879, which clarifies that hospital staff can combine one or more meal and rest breaks into a longer break, and that the timing requirements for meal and rest breaks can be waived by employees. It also clarifies how some elements of the waiver process work. WSHA played a key role in drafting this legislation in collaboration with the nursing unions.
The House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards will hold a public hearing on HB 1879 Wednesday, Feb. 12. WSHA will testify in support. Click here to sign-in PRO on HB 1879. (Ashlen Strong)
HB 1881/SB 5704: Material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the health care marketplace
The so-called “Keep Our Care Act” would impose strict limits on the ability of health care providers and facilities to merge and affiliate. As drafted, HB 1881/SB 5704 is a one-size-fits-all approach that places massive time, cost and administrative burdens on health care providers and hospitals. It is a blunt instrument that will stifle the ability of vulnerable hospitals and providers to find partners and keep providing critical services. There is no exemption or credible emergency process in the bill for failing essential health care providers, which could result in loss of vital health care services in communities.
The House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary will hold a public hearing on HB 1881 Tuesday, Feb. 11. WSHA will testify in opposition. Click here to sign in CON on HB 1881. (Zosia Stanley)
SB 5493: Concerning hospital price transparency
WSHA opposes SB 5493, which is duplicative and includes that which is already required for hospitals under federal transparency laws.
This bill would require hospitals to submit their posted price transparency files to the Department of Health, which would do a separate determination of compliance that is already done by the federal Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Serices (CMS). It also restricts the ability to collect payment from a patient if it is determined that the hospital was noncompliant and that the patient was unable to access rate information. WSHA believes SB 5493 would be costly for both the state and for hospitals, as it would further patients’ access to information for shoppable services that is not already available.
The Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care will hold a public hearing on SB 5493 Thursday, Feb. 13. WSHA will testify in opposition. Click here to sign in CON on SB 5493. (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. This includes increasing 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 Assocation is leading this proposal.
The service categories for the professional service rate increases must include the following patient services: anesthesia, diagnostics, intense outpatient, opioid treatment programs, emergency services, inpatient and outpatient surgery, inpatient visits, low-level behavioral health, maternity care, office and home visits, consults, office administered drugs and other physician services. If there are not sufficient funds available to corresponding Medicare rates, the state Health Care Authority (HCA) may increase the Medicaid rates to a percentage of Medicare rates.
The House Committee on Appropriations will hold a public hearing on HB 1392 on Thursday, Feb. 13. WSHA will testify in support. Click here to sign-in PRO on HB 1392. (Andrew Busz)
WSHA weighing in: Feb. 10-14
Monday, Feb. 10
- Senate Ways & Means
- SB 5211: Authorizing payment for parental caregivers of minor children with developmental disabilities. (Zosia Stanley)
Tuesday, Feb. 11
- House Civil Rights & Judiciary
- HB 1881: Concerning material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the health care marketplace. See article above. (Zosia Stanley)
- House Health Care & Wellness
- HB 1706: Aligning the implementation of application programming interfaces for prior authorization with federal guidelines. (Andrew Busz)
- HB 1784: Concerning certified medical assistants. (Katerina LaMarche/Mary Storace)
- Senate Health & Long Term Care
- SB 5577: Concerning Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs. (Andrew Busz)
Wednesday, Feb. 12
- House Health Care & Wellness
- HB 1686: Creating a health care entity registry. (Katerina LaMarche)
- HB 1718: Concerning well-being programs for certain health care professionals. (Cara Helmer)
- House Labor & Workplace Standards
- HB 1879: Concerning meal and rest breaks for hospital workers. See article above. (Ashlen Strong)
- Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
- SB 5514: Increasing compliance pathways for the clean buildings performance standard. (Remy Kerr)
Thursday, Feb. 13
- House Appropriations
- HB 1392: Creating the Medicaid access program. See article above. (Andrew Busz)
- Senate Health & Long Term Care
- SB 5493: Concerning hospital price transparency. See article above. (Andrew Busz)
Friday, Feb. 14
- Senate Heath & Long Term Care
- SB 5606: Providing sufficient funding for the Washington state long-term care ombuds program. (Zosia Stanley)
- SB 5183: Prohibiting the sale of certain tobacco and nicotine products. (Remy Kerr)
Thank you for testifying!
Thank you to everyone who testified in support of WSHA’s legislative efforts last week:
- Rena Cardenas, Multicare Health System
- Adam Dittemore, EvergreenHealth
- Chris Knapp, MultiCare Health System
- Dr. Shayna Lemke, Jefferson Healthcare
- Terri McDaniel, MultiCare Health System
- Martha Raymond, MultiCare Health System
- Dr. Arooj Simmonds, Providence Swedish
- Alex Town, Samaritan Healthcare
