This weekend marked an important milestone, with the first of WSHA’s priority bills advancing to the governor’s desk for final approval. HB 2113, which addresses supervision requirements for radiologic and MRI technologists performing IV contrast procedures, passed the Senate unanimously on Saturday. With two key legislative deadlines this week, we are hopeful to soon report additional positive floor action. At this stage of session, bills can stall because lawmakers run out of time for floor consideration. 

Monday was the committee fiscal cutoff—the final opportunity for most bills to pass out of each chamber’s fiscal committee and remain eligible for consideration by the full House or Senate. Several WSHA priority bills continue to move forward, including: 

  • EMS inter-facility transport
  • 340B protections
  • Network adequacy requirements for managed care organizations (MCOs) related to post-acute care facilities 
  • Timely payment requirements for health insurers 
  • Prior authorization reform 

Policy bills that are not necessary to implement the budget must pass floor votes by 5 p.m. this Friday. 

Action Needed 

E2SSB 5981, the 340B protections bill, continues to face headwinds from pharmaceutical manufacturers. WSHA is asking 340B hospitals to email their legislators today to urge support ahead of an expected House floor vote later this week. 

Bills still alive after cutoff   

Bills WSHA supports  

ESSB 5845  

Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers  

 E2SSB 5395  

Prior authorization requirements for health insurers  

ESHB 2110  

EMS specialty care transports  

HB 2113  

Supervision of radiologic and MRI technologists performing IV contrast procedures * 

E2SSB 5981  

Concerning the 340B drug pricing program 

ESSB 5124  

Establishing network adequacy standards for skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals  

HB 2340  

Adding nursing assistants to the substance use disorder monitoring program 

SHB 2577  

Hospital inspections * 

 *These bills have passed out of the second chamber and are headed to the governor’s desk for his signature. 

Bills WSHA has worked to amend to address concerns or to neutral  

SHB 2152 

Medical cannabis  

HB 2339 

Nursing regulations  

ESHB 2548 

Strengthening health care market standards (health care transaction oversight)  

ESSB 6210 

Health carrier certification by Washington Health Benefit Exchange 

Bills with which WSHA has concerns and is working to amend  

ESSB 5906 

 Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents 

Bills WSHA opposes  

ESSB 5993  

Interest on medical debt  

SHB 1155 

Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying non-solicitation agreements  

SSB 5847  

Access to medical care in workers’ compensation  

Notable bills no longer moving forward 

2SSB 5387  

Corporate practice of health care  

HB 2232  

Improving system outcomes for time-sensitive emergencies  

SSB 6296  

Relating to involuntary treatment  

 SSB 5823  

Patient advocates  

SHB 2144  

Employee electronic monitoring notices  

HB 2372/SB 6067  

Workers’ compensation benefits  

SB 6284/HB 2667  

Consumer protections for artificial intelligence systems  

SHB 2402  

Phthalates in medical equipment used for intravenous purposes  

HB 2545  

Elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in ambulatory surgical facilities  

SB 6152  

Including physical and occupational therapists as attending providers for workers’ compensation  

HB 1784  

Medical assistant order entry and activation  

HB 1589   

Concerning the relationships between health carriers and contracting providers (HB 2106 relating to health carrier contract changes was amended onto this bill)  

HB 2283 

Establishing a medical loss ratio of at least 90 percent for health plans. 

SHB 2157  

High risk artificial intelligence  

HB 1496  

Strengthening patients’ rights regarding their health care information (medical records fees cap for third parties)  

HB 2122  

Requiring hospitals to offer immunizations for influenza in certain cases. 

HB 2685  

Improving the state governmental public health system and the health system and health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the sharing and protection of tribal data  

 HB 2255  

Litigation financing   

HB 2250 

Charity care residency requirement 

Bills that are likely dead, but could be revived as necessary to implement the budget  

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)  

Bills applicable to all businesses or residents on which WSHA is neutral  

HB 2264  

Unemployment insurance benefits for workers separated from employment as a result of employer-initiated layoffs or workforce reductions  

SHB 2471/SSB 6617  

Collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act  

HB 2724/SB 6346  

Establishing a tax on millionaires  

2SSB 5292  

Paid family and medical leave rates