[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6387451,"mediaKeyId","2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa","parentId",2116557,"title","Panel hears staff briefing on bill to add great-grandchildren as eligible for certified vital records","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",4302000,"endMs",4412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa&start=4302&end=4412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa/thumbnail_4302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6387451/Washington/Panel-hears-staff-briefing-on-bill-to-add-great-grandchildren-as-eligible-for-certified-vital-records","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387451-e0652f2320fb34a3243d369ef0f29c63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164319&Signature=OpkKnJb3fdWAUw9R-CHmw7GBIzqKMV3SifsoBUA0uPrbO9kyH5sOxQC5WTH-gQdJgNnvWFphE4k4hYGghbHz6VZhirP7AU7YhSVwkxS0Xl0w-rxK5UR06sI~crtpHolsgW-zzz8mW7~S1HTtUhNiT9Ht5tIvVuCAr~07we2HTNF5hv9uWoXS9o0qNkl7emS1nsWCAnWh1LIS2GGU9iBbiOjT~SCQm-UdaCDlbbYNiI0s9JM1PEiHzJmT90EtofipH7SIxm7BnDvX3CNjBl8HSKZjgGMpL5ccrxRkQ-U9sNj7cGAv8Q~aNuq2er6eCLNvvcOUE5RxbmnRFjFrErA8Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Health Care & Wellness ","date","2025-01-15T00:00:00Z","article","The House Health Care Committee heard a staff briefing on House Bill 1157, which would expand the list of family members eligible to obtain a certified birth or death record to include great-grandchildren.

Kim Weidner, staff to the committee, summarized current law: the Department of Health issues certified and informational vital records, and certifications (which carry the legal attestations) are restricted to qualified applicants who document a qualifying relationship. Current eligible family members include a spouse or domestic partner, child, parent, stepparent, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian and (for deaths) next of kin. HB 1157 would add great-grandchildren to the list of qualified applicants.

Committee staff noted the prime sponsor would be unable to present and that no one had signed up to testify in person; the record shows nine proponent sign-ins and no opponents. With no oral testimony, the committee closed the public hearing on HB 1157 and the bill remains in committee.

Ending: The committee concluded the briefing with staff available to answer follow-up questions; no formal action was taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Health Care & Wellness - 1/15/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Health Care Committee received a staff briefing on House Bill 1157, which would expand eligibility for certified birth and death certificates to include great-grandchildren; the prime sponsor was not present and no oral testimony was given.","taxTitle","Health Care & Wellness, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20262,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6387455,"Bill would allow pharmacy owner-operators to serve on Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission",1145,3141000,4286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa&start=3141&end=4286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa/thumbnail_3141000.jpg","/articles/6387455/Washington/Bill-would-allow-pharmacy-owner-operators-to-serve-on-Pharmacy-Quality-Assurance-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387455-ecc63aaa8d0676473f558d0daa38d459/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164319&Signature=BxxlUFssh1CqRaKwum9xVJitRwwSF-Y7wT~jcC2EjQ5qBKW0ME-eRxF-ntKA7Bqut3pyhv6GvK2~vm~682KHvA17lOHPSSudIgdz3BeBxdvR6gC~P4ZfabnMiBW-JOLwA8dWdyEdySX1dHckZ4bGTKJztUpLXZ7P8lgteN5gKavVV6BY7fl967Er9pOj6acB~ufrUIws1ZzFd9MTEJuEj3CRUxJl5-~smNYAQtFYJEPKzYd-o6PniNHh4Jdxkxe5VaiBnfFnhwjiiYQNH-RA77pACspUcmVr7~OZOwJTBAA9fqObue67WI~bFCv69fz~EUWnjYWMDEqPquF1t10WtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Health Care Committee took public testimony on House Bill 1009, which would change membership requirements for the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission to permit one seat to be filled by an owner, operator or officer of a pharmacy who may not be a pharmacist.

Jim Morishima, staff to the committee, briefed members that current state law specifies the commission’s composition: 15 members consisting of 10 pharmacists, four public members and one pharmacy technician, with public members prohibited from being affiliated with pharmacy operations. HB 1009 does not increase commission size but converts one pharmacist position into a seat that may be filled by a pharmacist or by an owner, operator or officer of a pharmacy.

Rep. [first name not specified] Lowe, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the change would allow non-pharmacist owners to offer a perspective currently excluded by statute. “Members of this missed non pharmacist owner operator officer group offer a very important unrepresented perspective on the duties of the commission,” the sponsor said, and argued that expanding eligibility would improve participation on the commission.

Didi Little, director of government affairs for the Washington State Pharmacy Association, testified in support and said the association includes non-pharmacist owners who are active in the profession and would bring useful perspectives to commission deliberations.

Rick Hughes, owner of Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas Island, testified remotely that he applied to serve on the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission and was told he was ineligible because he is not a pharmacist. Hughes described his pharmacy’s pandemic response work and asked the committee to allow small-business owners to be eligible for appointment to the commission.

No committee vote occurred during the hearing. Committee staff recorded proponent sign-ins and in-person testimony; the bill remains in committee for further consideration.

Ending: The committee closed public testimony on HB 1009; no action was taken at the hearing.","House Health Care Committee heard sponsor and business testimony on House Bill 1009, which would allow an owner/operator/officer of a pharmacy — including non-pharmacists — to fill one commission seat currently limited to pharmacists.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6387460,"Committee hears testimony supporting bill to require insurers to cover 12-month contraceptive supplies",661,3352000,4013000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa&start=3352&end=4013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa/thumbnail_3352000.jpg","/articles/6387460/Washington/Committee-hears-testimony-supporting-bill-to-require-insurers-to-cover-12-month-contraceptive-supplies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387460-069c6e2e68d673384d70560f1cd74057/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164319&Signature=BApTI2TKM21YK1W4dMXy6KlxdDHhtfjsRhdDvqwbvpZDHr6U1eqxOfEdfqUbm0xpBp46zigv-T6Kdn51u0Xy0PuD9SR3QxGDVOtdFANQ7e0Xvhav6xAOXtlhgRHsW9s6rQYKD~k6eT-7uFG04iHLsDHX~B7p60HEAGD3e85lki2zMfUR~6-CTKS8PYTVczVYn1O6KhCP782JoeJ9ftHR-xv-eOuInYmduGZYsJVmMuCVDWRuL7w8Xi9VejS7zvBMl8PgkGsTF4K250Cfxpu~ppFoxFCRpK3zJ-mcDlNa0Xi~EQHpqtJZQAIFBQG56fUbVbOoHklFQ8rt1QadlMqyAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Health Care Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1090, which would require health carriers to reimburse for up to a 12-month supply of contraceptives at one time for new prescriptions as well as refills.

Rep. Emily Alvarado, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee that the statute enacted in 2017 required coverage of a 12-month supply only for refills, not initial prescriptions, and that the current distinction forces some patients to return monthly for medication or lose continuity of contraception. “Patients and their providers determine what's best, not insurance companies,” Alvarado said, and she asked the committee to remove that coverage loophole.

Four supporters testified in person and remotely. Elena Vega DeSoto, a graduating University of Washington senior and social-media lead for Planned Parenthood Generation Action at UW, described transportation and scheduling barriers: “As a student, I rely on public transportation or my friends to get to the pharmacy…for some, a monthly trip to the pharmacy might be completely unfeasible,” she said.

Calypso Bettis, vice president of the University of Washington chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action, said missing pills because of access barriers had caused pain and disruption to education, and urged passage to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Nicole Kern of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates said Washington’s 2017 law left a loophole because it applied only to refills. Kern cited evidence from other states that extended-supply coverage reduces unintended pregnancy and abortions, and said 26 states plus D.C. have enacted similar policies. Carrie Morris of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence said extended supplies can be an important safety measure for survivors of reproductive coercion.

Representative Caldier asked whether side effects or new prescriptions create a reason to limit an immediate 12-month supply. Kristen Peterson of the Department of Health, answering procedural and safety concerns about provider discretion, said that prescribing decisions remain with providers and the bill does not force a patient to accept a year’s supply—“providers have the flexibility to prescribe the amount that they believe is right in partnership with the patient,” she said.

No formal action or vote was taken. Committee staff indicated four people signed up to testify (all in support). Rep. Alvarado offered to follow up with a list of best practices for the perinatal program question that arose during the broader departmental briefing.

Ending: The committee concluded the public testimony portion of the hearing on HB 1090; the bill remains pending in committee.","Lawmakers and advocates urged the House Health Care Committee to close a coverage loophole and require insurers to cover up to a 12-month supply of contraceptives at once for new prescriptions, citing access barriers for students, rural residents and survivors of coercion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6387465,"State health officials outline priorities: respiratory surveillance, opioids, tribal partnerships",3065,59000,3124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa&start=59&end=3124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116557-c1708b4f9947141510794400b04fd3fa/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6387465/Washington/State-health-officials-outline-priorities-respiratory-surveillance-opioids-tribal-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387465-da67a253df6d29a558df63188ca9518f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164319&Signature=lFSFwazl1VMOYFl~TtZRTj3-igJItQbV8EhT~w2eoktEKo9Jwv9zRus15~fbaZI~A2vJLaWiijQcP0YeJhMO7xheqCa1TYaGE1kjgazjUKnSIFqu74eBxx154nK7UBH1PTVSZPlD8HfGnLW1-8icqToEnW1n1nvZD829gQldnSiKQGQaHvDox8MuOQpuheCn-UyvXdQSdxPzfPFUVb843b3icxwdSgchSrP1x-C0Jv8TY6hnaprDIleP6FGy3Rezg2u9znSGCOEETn3ac1MG1HpIlFppYNMh3LXae5btD9NkbPrnAwogp8NQYioARrs4-WLinmYyZb21dGKOIobTMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Washington House Health Care Committee heard an overview from the Washington State Department of Health on the agency’s role, priorities and recent initiatives, including expanded respiratory-illness surveillance, work on the opioid crisis and strengthened tribal partnerships.

Dr. Thao Kwan Get, chief science officer for the Washington Department of Health, told the committee that public health “is what we as a society do collectively, to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy,” and described a population-health approach that ranges from sanitation and vaccines to policies that address social drivers of health.

The department emphasized its data capabilities developed during the COVID-19 response: the respiratory-illness dashboard tracks deaths, hospitalizations and emergency-department visits for COVID-19, influenza and RSV, and is used to inform local public-health actions. Dr. Thao Kwan Get noted the department was monitoring recent upticks in COVID-19 activity and continued influenza and RSV hospitalizations, and said 18 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in the third week of December (as shown on the dashboard).

Kristen Peterson, chief of policy, planning and evaluation at the Department of Health, outlined program priorities that span newborn screening, maternal and child health, behavioral health workforce improvements and Certificate of Need review. Peterson described initiatives to expand behavioral-health licensing pathways (implementing House Bill 1724 and HB 2247), modernize licensing systems with a new HELMS platform, and adopt rules for 23-hour stabilization centers and 988 crisis hubs.

Both officials highlighted the department’s opioid-response work. Dr. Thao Kwan Get said Washington’s overdose rate has continued to rise even as national rates plateau, noting the state’s pattern has lagged earlier changes on the East Coast. He described three priorities: expanding access to medications for opioid-use disorder (MOUD) such as buprenorphine and methadone, distributing naloxone broadly (including a standing order for pharmacy access), and improving local overdose data. The department has piloted EMS-administered buprenorphine in several counties and is promoting take-home naloxone and linkages from emergency departments into long-term treatment.

Peterson described a new Centers of Excellence designation for hospitals that adopt perinatal substance-use best practices and the department’s work operating the state prescription-monitoring program and safe medication return program. She said the department recently completed tribal consultation on a tribal data-sharing agreement that recognizes tribal data sovereignty.

During questions, Representative Caldier asked how the department will regain public trust after pandemic-era communications. Dr. Thao Kwan Get said the department plans to focus on “those issues that people really care about” and to communicate with more humility about uncertainty in the science. Representative Davis asked for more detail about the perinatal Centers of Excellence; Peterson said the designation recognizes hospitals that adopt community- and data-informed best practices and offered to follow up with specifics.

Representative Mangeros asked how buprenorphine and methadone work; Dr. Thao Kwan Get explained both reduce painful withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and noted buprenorphine’s advantage that it can be prescribed by clinicians and, in pilot programs, administered by EMS. On involuntary treatment, the department said it would review the evidence and follow up.

Committee members also pressed for information on the EMS pilot’s sunset and expansion capacity; Peterson said staff would follow up with those details. Representatives asked about environmental and climate-health work; officials pointed to an environmental-health portfolio that includes air-quality and seasonal-hazards dashboards.

The department provided numeric context for its annual work: roughly 3,000 staff, 166,189 water samples evaluated, more than 65,000 birth certificates issued and more than 10,000 death certificates issued in a typical year. Officials emphasized continued collaboration with the Health Care Authority, Department of Agriculture and tribal nations on cross-sector responses.

The presentation closed with an offer to provide additional, written follow-up on the perinatal designation criteria and EMS pilot details.

Ending: Committee members thanked the department; no formal action was taken at the hearing.","Department of Health officials briefed the House Health Care Committee on public health priorities including respiratory surveillance, the opioid crisis and tribal data sovereignty; members pressed for follow-up on trust-building, perinatal substance-use designations and an EMS buprenorphine pilot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel hears staff briefing on bill to add great-grandchildren as eligible for certified vital records

Bill would allow pharmacy owner-operators to serve on Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission

Committee hears testimony supporting bill to require insurers to cover 12-month contraceptive supplies

State health officials outline priorities: respiratory surveillance, opioids, tribal partnerships