| Social and Economic Policy Everyone should have access to affordable, quality health care across a full spectrum of services from preventive care to long-term care; and a workforce sufficient in quantity and qualified to provide these services and with the north star of a publicly funded universal healthcare system. Issue Team Chair: Katie Johnson, Issue Chair |
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Legislation |
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Overview Covid taught us 3 things:
The impacts of federal HR 1 on healthcare in Washington will directly undermine the lessons from Covid particularly for Medicaid, and the loss of subsidies for enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will impact those in the middle income ranges. Limits on access to healthcare affect everyone – not just those directly impacted, but those who live, work and play in communities where people are affected. According to the WA Health Care Authority:
LWVWA Position on Healthcare Position In Brief: Action to control total system expenditures and to provide universal access to affordable health services with seamless coverage regardless of one's health status. Positions The League of Women Voters of Washington supports: Therefore, the LWV supports bills that assure access to healthcare for everyone.
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SB 5967/HB 2242 Preserving access to preventive services by clarifying state authority and definitions.
This bill will allow the WA State Insurance Commissioner and the WA State Department of Health to determine which preventative services (i.e. immunizations) must be covered by insurance carriers as the CDC moves away from evidence-based recommendations. By request: Governor Ferguson, Insurance Commissioner.
SB 6183 Concerning coverage for HIV antiviral drugs.
Insurance shall provide coverage for all federal food and drug administration approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or any other utilization management protocols.
SB 6210/HB 2564 Concerning health plan certification process.
Protect WA residents by review of market conditions and evaluating health exchange programs meet accessibility and affordability criteria.
SB 5845 Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers.
Requires insurance companies to pay “clean” claims for health care within 30 days of receipt. If a claim is not clean insurance shall send a written notice to the provider or facility acknowledging the date of receipt of the claim with an explanation of the concern. This provides health care providers with more certainty in funding.
Requires insurance companies to request refunds in writing and within 6 months of when the claim was paid and state why a refund should be given, unless there is fraud. This protects the financial viability of health care providers.
HB 2384 Increasing regulatory oversight of continuing care retirement communities.
Clarifies the definition of "Life care contract," as being for the duration of the person’s life and details of what is included. If offering an actuarial analysis, it must be prepared by an qualified actuary.
HB 2145 Protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program.
The 340 B program requires drug manufacturers to offer discounts on outpatient medications to eligible providers that serve low-income and uninsured populations. It enables covered "entities to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services" thus increasing access to care for vulnerable populations
- If you are interested in a particular bill, use the links above to go to the webpage for that bill. These pages include staff summaries and reports including who testified PRO versus CON on the bill. There is also information about how to access videos of hearings that have been held.
- Read and take action through the LWVWA Legislative Action Newsletter, distributed each Sunday during the legislative session.
- Local Leagues in Washington have action chairs who coordinate action teams. Some local Leagues have health care teams to take action locally. Contact your local League action chair to find out more and get involved.
- You may also express your opinion on legislation with the LWVWA Issue chairs. We will take your perspectives under consideration as we determine our support for legislation and prepare testimony. Please direct any questions or suggestions to Katie Johnson, Healthcare Issue Chair.