That’s a wrap: 2026 legislative session ends with major wins for health care 

Yesterday marked the final day of the Washington State Legislative session. Lawmakers passed the last policy bills, gave final approval to the supplemental budget, and headed home for the interim late Thursday evening.  

Kudos to YOU! 

We would like to thank our incredible hospital members who helped shape the legislative agenda, developed strong relationships with lawmakers over the interim, made phone calls, sent emails, met with lawmakers and testified in hearings. Your active and persistent advocacy brings to life the policy issues for the legislators. This year that advocacy paid off in big ways.  

Session success 

The 2026 legislative session was among the most successful in WSHA’s history. Perhaps the largest win was in the budget, with no direct cuts to hospitals, despite ongoing state financial challenges. Additionally, WSHA helped persuade lawmakers to remove a cut to adult Medicaid for occupational, physical and speech therapy payments from the budget proposal and secure some relief for hospitals from B&O and sales tax impacts. Check out the Budget Issue of Inside Olympia for more details.  

Major policy wins 

On the policy side, the hospital association agenda aggressively pursued progress for insurer reform, preserving patient access and protecting critical resources. WSHA worked with lawmakers on seven proactive bills. Six of those bills passed, including:  

  • ESSB 5845: Timely payment requirements for health carriers  
  • E2SSB 5395: Prior authorization reform for health insurers  
  • ESHB 2110: RN EMS specialty care transports   
  • HB 2113: Supervision of radiologic and MRI technologists performing IV contrast administration 
  • E2SSB 5981: Protections for the 340B drug pricing program 
  • ESSB 5124: Network adequacy standards for Medicaid managed care organizations for skilled nursing and rehabilitation 

The IV Contrast bill has already been signed by Governor Ferguson. Stay tuned for updates on future bill signings.  

Finally, we were able to defeat or amend several pieces of legislation that would have harmed hospitals, including:  

  • 2SSB 5387: Corporate practice of health care  
  • ESHB 2548: Health care market standards (health care transaction oversight) 
  • ESSB 5993: Prohibiting the collection of interest on medical debt 
  • ESSB 5906: Data and personal safety protections related to immigration enforcement in areas of public accommodation  
  • SB 6173: Creating an apple health employer assessment   
  • HB 2100:  Payroll tax to fund the Well Washington account   
  • HB 2626:  Increasing the insurance premium tax on certain health insurance providers (would reduce safety net assessment payments to hospitals)  

The full list of bills WSHA tracked and their outcomes is available in the policy cut-off issue of Inside Olympia. 

Gov. Ferguson (with WSHA policy lobbyist Katie Kolan behind him in red) at the bill signing for the supervision of radiologic and MRI technologists performing IV contrast administration. (HB 2113)

Session wrap-up webcast 

For a deeper look at the session and a review of the state’s budget decisions, members are invited to join the March 26 legislative session wrap-up webcast. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about next steps for newly passed legislation. 

Next steps: Implementation and interim advocacy  

The end of the session is the beginning of preparation for new law implementation. You can count on your association to continue to advocate for you through the rulemaking process. We will also provide detailed information as each law goes into effect to help ensure you can take advantage of the new policies. 

The time between sessions is also a critical window to build relationships with lawmakers. We encourage you to touch base with your representatives and senators a few times between now and next January, including an invitation to visit your hospital.  

Please reach out if you have any questions about laws passed this session or need support in connecting with your lawmakers. Thank you for your partnership and congratulations on an incredible legislative session.