[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6361538,"mediaKeyId","2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a","parentId",2170576,"title","Senate hearing on SB 5086 examines consolidation of PEB and SEB boards and risk pools; fiscal note indeterminate, stakeholders divided","audioSeconds",2161,"startMs",2446730,"endMs",4608315,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a&start=2446&end=4608","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a/thumbnail_2446730.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361538/Washington/Senate-hearing-on-SB-5086-examines-consolidation-of-PEB-and-SEB-boards-and-risk-pools-fiscal-note-indeterminate-stakeholders-divided","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361538-6aa8d1e1886e6a0964cd76816241e11a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143974&Signature=DKbbwSwjm-JJ1Kp3poKzDH7tIuuJ6fkdKC1NMuM2~e71nZ1z4xoNinfaVb-EHAeHNMYHmy3hLvh061jU-OvcU4OH8Pbg2hwWxAazbimIgerkUtSSHGykJ4nR5-HcDXoylByQ~QnjHrcouhp39YhCXy1zS8pXmaQOrTUgxl-DWNWvWhWVv-lK5SlReeY~MgMIOi~aZrbOEEvpNOjtUpTA~nBAMeQ-FP-cEWCm0pn2QqTfRhXnBVxnSPe7H5q020SeLZ1YK2ugUEsky0qno50rg~j6bAJYCj4fCbt1-8MstSyBROTTtpMAi5J6nnwxil2ipFAQO8tUy1mdSbA2RkYUdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Ways & Means","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5086, which would combine the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEB) and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEB) into a single Washington Employee and Retirees Benefit Board (WERB) and merge active employees and non‑Medicare retirees into one risk pool.

Amanda Cecil, committee staff, summarized the bill and the Health Care Authority’s analysis. HCA staff told the committee the bill does not change statutory eligibility or the required benefit package but would expand board membership and consolidate rate‑setting and contracting functions. The fiscal note remains indeterminate because outcomes depend on enrollment and plan selection under a combined risk pool.

Why it matters: The proposal affects premiums and employer contributions for state agencies, school districts and employees, and alters governance for a benefit system that covers hundreds of thousands of covered lives.

Fiscal and operational details presented:
- Implementation costs: HCA identified up‑front administrative and IT integration costs of about $2,000,000 in fiscal 2026 and $1,000,000 in fiscal 2027 to combine systems and support consolidation.
- Risk‑pool scenarios: HCA and staff presented illustrative scenarios showing how combining pools could shift costs among PEB employers, SEB employers, employees and the state. One illustrative scenario showed an approximate $14,000,000 reduction in state costs in year one under specific enrollment assumptions; another scenario showed a roughly $12,500,000 increase to state general fund costs if enrollment and plan selection changed differently. Staff emphasized these are examples, not projections.
- Board composition: The proposed WERB would expand membership; retiree representation would remain two seats but as a smaller share of the larger board (2 of 13 voting members under the bill).

Public testimony split along stakeholder lines:
- Opponents: The Washington Education Association, Public School Employees, the Washington Federation of State Employees, and the Washington State School Retirees Association opposed the bill. Testimony warned consolidation would shift costs to school employees, reduce retiree voice in governance and offer limited state savings. Jared Mason (WEA) said expected efficiencies were “pretty questionable” and warned of premium increases for SEB members. Rick Chiesa (Public School Employees) asked the committee not to “take away insurance that is working.”
- Supporters: Healthcare for All Washington’s president, a retired pharmacist, urged consolidation as a way to stabilize premiums and increase purchasing power, saying even a 1% change on $1,000,000,000 scales to meaningful dollars.

Committee and agency clarifications:
- HCA: Agency staff said retirees would not lose eligibility or existing benefit structures; non‑Medicare retirees (about 7,000 people) would see a simpler consumer experience because their plan choices would align with the employee portfolio when they retire rather than switching portfolios. HCA reiterated the fiscal note used illustrative “fruit‑juice” scenarios to show how outcomes vary with enrollment.

No committee vote occurred during the hearing. Testimony and the agency’s analysis leave fiscal outcomes uncertain; committee staff and HCA offered to provide follow‑up technical details for members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Ways & Means - 1/30/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5086, which would combine the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEB) and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEB) into a single Washington Employee and Retirees Benefit Board and merge active employees and non‑Medicare retirees into one risk pool.","taxTitle","Ways & Means, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20513,"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},6361557,"State staff outline phased plan, vendor options and funding questions for 988 crisis system",201,81,201735,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a&start=0&end=201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a/thumbnail_81.jpg","/articles/6361557/Washington/State-staff-outline-phased-plan-vendor-options-and-funding-questions-for-988-crisis-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361557-ec021996909d678671af00b8e0aaeb3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143974&Signature=YS7L-CZNPPTPJedOH8j7InA7xph6mvy0NWMAHtPVnJbi-7WXZBc-yeaqrUCt2TmqEgrrvLGyWO3sRbGvMTPoGHkqWgB9ItKIsfLQbf6j-PRp8bQdx~N5vOF828SPtMAsjSd1cMHfVsvR12bx7CJ7kdgceqqQ7Ww1nn~ksFXG0sw4SEOah1ZUpt73zDD880Vy4LLVdTFaBON7jCRObisx~eCrU3TS9J-zf1yR6uJe43YSVRC53uwdb3S4XUDstZ8d007aQRos-B~0DiOmwg3VXmMvOJxf38zJbrhdUo2BXQ0WwldmWPpM25T11QIaTABE-5IQuxpwoFMCVRSIWB6UBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State staff told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that work to stand up Washington’s 988 crisis-response system has moved from planning into procurement preparation but will be implemented in phases and likely requires additional funding.

The presentation said the state received an approved advanced planning document for federal match and that an 18‑month extension given in 2023 allowed staff to stretch implementation work. The briefing noted a variance between amounts shown on different slides: “if you look at the Department of Health there, the amount spent, if you add up those 2 for fiscal years 24 and 25, it roughs out to $450,000 as opposed to the 1.3 that you saw on the screen,” a presenter said, adding that the larger figure reflected an encumbrance rather than cash spend.

Committee members were told the feasibility study evaluated multiple technical approaches and vendors. The study presented three broad options: a single vendor “all‑in‑one” system, a best‑of‑breed approach that integrates existing provider systems, or an integrator model that ties multiple components together into a single crisis system. The presenter said the feasibility work “very clearly define[d] that Vibrant could not meet our business needs,” and that the state is looking chiefly for a systems integrator if it pursues a full implementation.

Why it matters: 988 implementation will shape how people in crisis connect to mobile outreach, bed tracking and community response. The committee focused on who will build and run the system, what the state must deliver to receive federal funds from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and whether the tax revenue currently dedicated to 988 will cover full implementation and operations.

Key details from the briefing:
- Federal planning: Staff reported an approved APD (advanced planning document) that provides federal match for planning and is a prerequisite to seek implementation funding from CMS.
- Timing and phasing: Presenters said implementation must be phased because the end solution may include multiple modules rather than a single, turn‑key product. A timeline slide was shown but presenters said final sequencing depends on RFP responses.
- Funding sources: The briefing listed the 988 surcharge and Medicaid federal match as primary funding sources; presenters warned implementation, maintenance and operations costs will not be clear until an RFP is issued and vendor bids are received.
- Vendor options: The feasibility study flagged three models and noted tradeoffs for community providers. The presenter recommended follow‑up briefings for legislators to review the feasibility report and distinctions between vendors.

Committee Q&A highlighted concerns about bed‑tracking functionality, vendor add‑ons to existing platforms, and the potential need to increase the 988 surcharge to cover implementation. Senator Dhingra asked whether the state would adopt the Vibrant platform, build its own system, or use a hybrid of Vibrant with third‑party add‑ons; staff responded that Vibrant was explored but “is really not part of the equation” because it does not meet the defined business needs.

The presentation did not include a formal request for committee action; staff said a future RFP and CMS approval will trigger procurement and contracting.

Looking ahead: Staff recommended follow‑up briefings for legislators and warned that final budget needs will depend on vendor proposals and CMS approvals.","State staff told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that work to stand up Washington’s 988 crisis-response system has moved from planning into procurement preparation but will be implemented in phases and likely requires additional funding.",{"_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},6361542,"Insurance commissioner report models policy options including reinsurance, reference-based pricing and hospital budgets",96,1632075,1728669,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a&start=1632&end=1728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a/thumbnail_1632075.jpg","/articles/6361542/Washington/Insurance-commissioner-report-models-policy-options-including-reinsurance-reference-based-pricing-and-hospital-budgets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361542-04176a15e401addeb740f699868f279e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143974&Signature=XoktD8rLFyTbz7TNBUW677H4wtEGVjiCTDvqo4zLQzOrlSEMju9AzmhXvqjsp50I0d2qEH3DS73KSYKw6-1Q3C4ZKuzYgqE8O1-8RB6RxubgHgGztzxzPY4LSwH9bvJIHvS~ksEKNzxERpupQwuCiHDEJ8xTXaPxxFcDJ8VtwHsVeIASEq7letzcT9jsgzoN9PZPII-4VSITAjm6W59vnZh~ovro9XU5ko666UAU297KNR0AQka0eokwonwYMTkVl5DLh7DQA5ZFQn6O8cvsbgcTqu6bELsUDFtILL7YrEQsZqs16no5V2W4~LrlTa9lrPTnk9N63OvU3azbBiiOWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Office of the Insurance Commissioner staff presented their final health care affordability report to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, outlining policy options the office modeled for Washington and estimating varied fiscal impacts for each.

Analysts from the OIC told the committee they reviewed 11 potential policy options and chose five to model using Washington‑specific data drawn from the state’s all‑payer claims database and provider cost reports. The options aim to reduce premiums and overall health spending through different levers: reinsurance, a higher medical loss ratio (MLR), reference‑based pricing, hospital global budgeting or growth limits, and enforcing Health Care Cost Transparency Board expenditure targets.

Why it matters: The modeled options affect premiums for individuals, employer plans and state programs and could change state healthcare spending depending on program design and federal interactions.

Key takeaways from the briefing:
- Reinsurance: A modeled reinsurance program could lower premiums in affected markets by roughly 10%, but the state and federal governments would need to fund the reinsurance pool and that would increase state spending depending on design.
- Medical loss ratio: Raising the MLR to 88% (from current federal floors around 80–85%) was modeled to reduce annual premiums modestly — up to about 2.5% — and likely have minimal impact on state spending because Washington’s Uniform Medical Plan is self‑insured.
- Reference‑based pricing: Repricing commercial claims to a Medicare multiple showed a wide distribution of current commercial rates: examples cited included primary care at about 150% of Medicare, specialists at about 144%, hospital services at roughly 200% of Medicare and emergency visits at roughly 300% of Medicare. OIC said a price‑cap approach could both reduce some high facility payments and create room to raise behavioral‑health professional rates that appear near or below Medicare levels.
- Hospital budgeting and growth limits: The report reviewed hospital global budgeting (which would need a federal waiver) and modeled limits on hospital cost growth to match the Health Care Cost Transparency Board’s 2.8% target; analysts said such policies could yield savings but would be complex to implement.
- Private equity and market consolidation: The report documented consolidation trends and about 97 private‑equity acquisitions in Washington’s health sector over the prior decade and recommended improved reporting on ownership and affiliations; state bills were noted that would expand reporting requirements.

Analysts cautioned that each option has tradeoffs, that implementation costs and federal rules could affect outcomes, and that modeled savings varied widely by approach. No committee action followed the briefing.","Office of the Insurance Commissioner staff presented their final health care affordability report to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, outlining policy options the office modeled for Washington and estimating varied fiscal impacts for each.",{"_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},6361548,"DCYF outlines plan to replace FamLink with CCWIS; procurement underway and Governor proposes $66 million",348,947975,1296040,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a&start=947&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a/thumbnail_947975.jpg","/articles/6361548/Washington/DCYF-outlines-plan-to-replace-FamLink-with-CCWIS-procurement-underway-and-Governor-proposes-66-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361548-60862116205c0e8dda9519e6400f7bc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143974&Signature=gLY1efaAslvF~yUIXhYxFxWVkJ2VmdYmKGo0BgIv4UCRlUBbaWJbQHKtqAtQJsmFUXVc~cqvzuxa25W3ccJB337zMIyaqfUqKl5U481tEzlM-fxGNIn-Mw7I0cGax9EOtNgZYGgoRiZ3edS8lD6GJz0uNSj9MEn~E7-AGTOqX8Q6g2vrKAMbuX~44yB0CiYrmpNfI28KQGDgMu6WeNJ8gXLIKqWumEURkqonzP-WFb8qROFfwsBzq9cI6U59f-o1s0iLIfsV1KIjfghO6Gs8ZhMDEkoNzV3VSGujzv26CFx2Z4eblB6r5THB-fd2tfARGqX5VeZVmtyff6NkBLhrwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that it is moving forward with a federally compliant Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) to replace its legacy FamLink platform, with procurement underway and implementation currently targeted for July 2029.

Deputy Secretary Jenny Hedden, who represented DCYF in the briefing, said the department’s $150,000,000 project is “business transformation first and foremost, supported by technology.” Hedden told the committee that DCYF completed feasibility and vendor demonstrations and is in the procurement phase; four products were demonstrated last week and the agency expects to name an apparently successful bidder in the coming months.

Why it matters: The system is the state record of child welfare case information and supports payments, forecasting and statutory reporting. DCYF said FamLink is outdated, hampers caseworkers and must be replaced to comply with federal rules and to accommodate recent legislative changes affecting removal standards.

Key points from DCYF’s briefing:
- Scope and schedule: The project is budgeted at $150 million over multiple years and is currently green on project indicators; current implementation target remains July 2029 but could change during contract negotiation and implementation.
- Procurement: DCYF completed demonstrations of four candidate products and reported it will soon identify an apparently successful bidder and begin contract negotiations and configuration work.
- Funding: The Governor’s proposed budget includes $66,000,000 to support procurement, configuration, organizational change management and implementation activities.
- Business transformation emphasis: Hedden said other states’ experience shows that delivering a product that fits social‑work practice is essential; DCYF plans significant change management for roughly 2,000 social workers and related users.

Committee members asked about phasing and cross‑system integration. Hedden said the agency expects to phase external users and may phase rollout by region, but that core case management will need coordinated cutover given FamLink’s role as the system of record and its interface to the payment system.

DCYF did not request immediate committee action; staff said further procurement milestones and budget decisions will determine next steps.","The Department of Children, Youth & Families told the Senate committee it has green project indicators for a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) to replace FamLink, set an implementation target of July 2029, and has received $66 million in the governor's proposed budget for procurement and change management.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":80,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361552,"DSHS says Integrated Eligibility & Enrollment project tracking green but faces timeline and federal rule risks",537430,619315,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a&start=537&end=619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170576-4740cfab2a540a9286520d4d32d2430a/thumbnail_537430.jpg","/articles/6361552/Washington/DSHS-says-Integrated-Eligibility-Enrollment-project-tracking-green-but-faces-timeline-and-federal-rule-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361552-4a35a1e3edeeb029eccd1caf01b77104/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143974&Signature=bH91oOEx-wwtL5H315mijnjOv98BqsLFbEf1eCw9rcL2743VMpYVP1uwsEZdvOvrRqjA0dxXoyDU~vDRQ7KQBA~TvRCj6PhYkBu1mUKEPlM0jAToSAeeNpsGqrkZD-h3ONkdGD15KHUySULu9GpctaGKL05laVBoXPeHBUmDeQjv67JnozneQdHkmY6SSM9M-8oZyUUuV0N8JBHHNJkCTZl5JmBxAf0SlzWc4HWZUcYL41slNNndFvrXsrMePBhrgUPT-cdnyafh6Fqwo9AUxbXgqEaKT1krm5oXMa2d0TaGdGrVqPIBubLtQmou6b4oT-LTzPHqjR~zyYpxfuUYYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Social and Health Services told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that its Integrated Eligibility and Enrollment (INE) modernization program is “green” on scope and budget overall but faces schedule risk on at least one deliverable tied to federal agency data‑sharing and rule changes.

Sawan Gidkuta, the department’s chief technology and innovation officer, briefed members on INE’s scope, timeline and spending. He said INE began in 2021 to modernize benefit delivery across roughly 72 programs and that the project is split into three phases: stabilization of legacy systems, construction of a modernization foundation, and modernization of program IT components.

Why it matters: INE underpins eligibility and enrollment for many health and human services benefits. Delays or changes could affect how residents apply for and track benefits and could change projected state and federal costs.

Highlights from the presentation:
- Program status: The program dashboard showed green for scope and budget; one subproject (MiWay Benefits launch) has been delayed because of data security and data‑sharing concerns raised by the Social Security Administration, a presenter said.
- Underspend: The office reported an underspend of about $16,000,000 in the current fiscal year, attributed to slowed acceleration work pending budget clarity.
- Governor's proposal: The presenter said Governor Inslee’s proposed budget includes $51,000,000 for the program, largely to implement CMS rule changes and to move the program into maintenance mode for the platform.
- Timeline: The overall roadmap extends to 2029; several component dates (master person index, portal front end) were given, with some near‑term deliverables expected in 2024–2025.

Committee members asked about cross‑agency data sharing and the project’s adaptability to federal MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rule changes. Gidkuta said the INE architecture is designed to implement CMS‑related rule changes and that the team is implementing overlapping capabilities to comply with MAGI simplification rules.

No formal committee action followed the briefing. Staff said the program will continue coordination with federal partners and would adjust the schedule depending on data‑sharing resolutions.","Department of Social and Health Services reported to the Senate Ways & Means Committee that the integrated eligibility and enrollment (INE) program is largely on budget and scope but is delayed on one project dependent on federal data‑sharing and SSA clearance; Governor Inslee's proposed budget includes $51 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hearing on SB 5086 examines consolidation of PEB and SEB boards and risk pools; fiscal note indeterminate, stakeholders divided

State staff outline phased plan, vendor options and funding questions for 988 crisis system

Insurance commissioner report models policy options including reinsurance, reference-based pricing and hospital budgets

DCYF outlines plan to replace FamLink with CCWIS; procurement underway and Governor proposes $66 million

DSHS says Integrated Eligibility & Enrollment project tracking green but faces timeline and federal rule risks