[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6325478,"mediaKeyId","2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727","parentId",2333154,"title","Committee advances seven health bills; key votes recorded","audioSeconds",2334,"startMs",3201000,"endMs",5535000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727&start=3201&end=5535","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727/thumbnail_3201000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325478/Washington/Committee-advances-seven-health-bills-key-votes-recorded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325478-0cb92c823625d975065857820000ba5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137468&Signature=OBS7cd9yNVS8pdmxi5y7t2lOJVZV10dgQnfBTH~af3r2JV8hJA3MYAO~Rc1~I~DUl1gYqWVakm4IBF1CdhEKcMBR-IGG-LTQoX6xA9JzNxYiuM5qoM8q8rQoHMnU2Y3L5OH88b53g4opbkKi5SpUgKoBYJX4mz5LlAhrCQ3loJoyV9ggG4bJR5gAq-6EhLogLlvx9kZYa9GR1FpB7LdoPrSFIWQlbgGivWjTz3mjjRYB~gb1eC46L2hIVmingB-Rspfdqwbp7f7LR63Ai2oVkHbUssQedG20B9HP9rICt6JflIIjAI7y7E3Rp3mNNcvIBRvHNCDBbO0H4eYeEIKaow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Postsecondary Education & Workforce","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The House Health Care & Wellness Committee on the day recorded votes to move seven bills out of committee, from an overhaul of an all‑payers claims database to changes in how Medicaid behavioral‑health contracts are planned.

The measures reported out included House Bill 13 82 (all‑payers claims database modernization), House Bill 14 22 (drug take‑back program fee and operations), House Bill 14 27 (peer specialist billing expansion), House Bill 14 32 (mental‑health parity and utilization review requirements), House Bill 15 83 (Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health practices), House Bill 17 84 (certified medical assistant order activation), and House Bill 18 13 (behavioral‑health procurement transition planning).

Why it matters: The items touch core health‑system functions — price transparency, behavioral‑health delivery, workforce scope, and access to traditional and culturally specific care — and several include technical changes that will affect procurement, contracts and insurer requirements if enacted.

Key outcomes and notable debate

- House Bill 13 82 — All‑payers claims database modernization: Reported out with a due‑pass recommendation, 12 ayes, 7 nays. The bill removes a federal‑policy conflict by aligning state rules with federal guidance, eliminates a prior restriction on proprietary financial information, allows the Health Care Authority (HCA) to contract competitively for a LO (data steward), and changes certain reporting frequencies. Opponents warned the removal of limits on proprietary financial information could raise prices; supporters argued modernization adds consumer transparency. Representative Thuringer urged support, saying the modernization “is important information…to provide transparency to health care costs.” Representative Schmick voted against, citing concerns about proprietary financial data.

- House Bill 14 22 — Drug take‑back program fee changes: Reported out with a due‑pass recommendation, 12 ayes, 7 nays. The substitute removed a 10% fee cap and replaced an immediate competitive reprocurement requirement with updated reporting and guardrails; sponsors said the change is needed to keep the program solvent. Representative Macri said the cap made the program “unsustainable over time.” Opponents sought tighter statutory cost controls; an amendment to add a fixed fee failed.

- House Bill 14 27 — Peer specialist billing/expansion: Reported out 15 ayes, 4 nays. The bill expands opportunities to bill insurance for peer specialist services and aligns implementation with budget realities; sponsors said it helps replace state general‑fund reliance for some peer services.

- House Bill 14 32 — Mental‑health parity and utilization review: Reported out 15 ayes, 4 nays. The proposed substitute would apply parity rules and utilization review standards to fully insured plans, limit prior‑authorization for initial outpatient mental‑health/SUD visits, require age‑appropriate criteria for utilization reviews, and delay the effective date to Jan. 2027 to allow insurers and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to prepare. Supporters described it as an incremental step to improve access; opponents raised concerns about extending requirements before state employee plans are covered.

- House Bill 15 83 — CMS 1115 waiver for traditional health practices: Reported out unanimously, 19 ayes. The amendment added urban Indian organizations to provider types authorized to deliver covered traditional health practices if CMS approves the waiver; sponsors said the change strengthens tribal and urban Indian participation.

- House Bill 17 84 — Certified medical assistant orders: Reported out unanimously, 19 ayes. The substitute clarifies when certified medical assistants may enter and “activate” orders under standing written protocols, reduces administrative burdens on clinicians, and preserves patient safety safeguards; one later amendment restoring same‑day supervisory review was withdrawn and the substitute adopted after stakeholder negotiations.

- House Bill 18 13 — Medicaid behavioral‑health reprocurement planning: Reported out 18 ayes, 1 nay. An amendment removed a mandatory competitive reprocurement and instead requires HCA to develop a strategic plan for transition, explicitly including tribes and Indian health clinics and focusing the change on behavioral‑health crisis stabilization services, mobile crisis and other specific programs.

Votes at a glance (final motions reported out of committee)

- HB 13 82: Reported out (due pass). Tally: 12 ayes, 7 nays.
- HB 14 22 (substitute as amended): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 12 ayes, 7 nays.
- HB 14 27 (substitute): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 15 ayes, 4 nays.
- HB 14 32 (substitute): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 15 ayes, 4 nays.
- HB 15 83 (substitute): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 19 ayes, 0 nays.
- HB 17 84 (substitute): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 19 ayes, 0 nays.
- HB 18 13 (substitute): Reported out (due pass). Tally: 18 ayes, 1 nay.

What’s next: Each bill will move to the full House calendar for further consideration. Several measures include delayed effective dates or required rule‑making, and some require federal approvals (for example, the 1115 waiver in HB 15 83).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Postsecondary Education & Workforce - 2/18/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The House Health Care & Wellness Committee on the day recorded votes to move seven bills out of committee, from an overhaul of an all‑payers claims database to changes in how Medicaid behavioral‑health contracts are planned.","taxTitle","Postsecondary Education & Workforce, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20275,"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},6325469,"Bill would allow 12‑month refills for hormone therapy if plan covers it; sponsors and clinicians say it improves access",382,6016000,6398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727&start=6016&end=6398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727/thumbnail_6016000.jpg","/articles/6325469/Washington/Bill-would-allow-12month-refills-for-hormone-therapy-if-plan-covers-it-sponsors-and-clinicians-say-it-improves-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325469-2ec55875daf17384107c2eedd969d093/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137468&Signature=bzBKyvq2hvTsR~xZM37ctEKa1THvJ2fwqqxpsl6ghu6kqVMt8wbha9bHrgDfR0Wt0o~FWtgHr3qw41arNgV8lC~loKsv-PoA2MdAm03wIG1YXfU6L4zVW9RrwtOyBHXLx~vvACancoqfxtbvoCPlvk5TuEMZNPj420Z70kyNyjuAM3B7uqDbeR9bT3j6sd4dJ9aZMrC405c3n-RHwab0kUIU6QenUEehnkmJoM2BIPsTVPYM~SpmsSQwFVaEy33dGCFL~BhsOK902VtJ27JiFu1Jpk~XLwXSl5HV~-jfRd35LMNFMO2zHK7EXaQKC3Y~FEFZZCRXMgtgTyoAwVjigA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 19 71 would let covered enrollees obtain a year’s supply of prescription hormone‑replacement therapy (HRT) at one time if their plan covers HRT. The bill was discussed at a public hearing before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee.

Why it matters: Longer fills reduce gaps in treatment for people who rely on hormone therapy for medical conditions — including menopause, hypogonadism and gender‑affirming care — and may be especially important for patients in rural areas or those with transportation and scheduling barriers.

What the bill would do: If a private health plan or a public/state employee plan covers hormone therapy, the insurer must allow dispensing of a 12‑month supply at once. The statute includes exceptions: if the enrollee asks for fewer days, the prescriber limits the supply, the drug is a controlled substance, the enrollee already received a 12‑month supply that plan year and it is the last quarter of the plan year, or a prescriber limits refills because of an acute shortage.

Testimony highlights

- Representative Macri (prime sponsor): Said the bill is modeled after existing 12‑month contraceptive access law and preserves prescriber judgment. \"This bill does not dictate care,\" Macri said; it ensures insurers reimburse a prescription that a clinician and patient agree is medically appropriate.

- Dr. Debra Nukatola, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest (support): Argued insurers should not dictate prescription length and that monthly refills burden patients and raise the risk of treatment gaps. She noted HRT is used for menopause, hypogonadism and gender‑affirming care and said longer supplies reduce transportation and access barriers.

- Everett Maroon, co‑chair Washington State LGBTQ Commission (support): Testified about personal and constituent access barriers and rural travel burdens, reporting people sometimes travel hundreds of miles or pay out of pocket to obtain hormones.

- Committee question from Representative Caldier and others: Asked whether the bill requires clinical follow‑up within the 12‑month refill period; staff replied the bill is silent on required follow‑up and would not itself mandate in‑person visits or labs during the year — clinical monitoring remains a matter for prescribers and existing standards of care.

Next steps: The hearing concluded without a committee vote. Sponsors asked for further consideration; clinicians and advocates urged the committee to move the bill out of committee to improve continuity of care for affected patients.","House Bill 19 71 would require health plans that cover hormone‑replacement therapy to allow a 12‑month supply to be dispensed at once, with limited exceptions. Sponsors and clinical witnesses said the measure improves continuity of care for rural and otherwise underserved patients; some questions were raised about clinical follow‑up requirements.",{"_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},6325473,"Bill would deem small‑group rate filings approved after 60 days; regulators warn of federal timing conflicts",138,5538000,5676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727&start=5538&end=5676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333154-741e29ac10835eb042aa15b0cc024727/thumbnail_5538000.jpg","/articles/6325473/Washington/Bill-would-deem-smallgroup-rate-filings-approved-after-60-days-regulators-warn-of-federal-timing-conflicts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325473-57d8f65bbb998c76462ab8e3376a9e3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137468&Signature=oJrqt6KLQojsPuI--aBTuRpmTWufAMTHMxtquSy9TisLbTvWkzjuXzNLxszuuuVcW5yOIghcGgYlfLutHfsa~DcKySSvreIw9pKvpDr2j5sKj1wxAQudX9xCPJ4NbxvCgzif30ON3lNr7EwV7zh8OAZnD3M0~gNuVR2LWfwJEglrdiDb2jme12dPL-q8QwS7WwQ1jZ22UPGT32ivRPw7SS8Oqyz3y7ziNsDfI1QuDqv8ko~BYeEP5LZM69P8gnb16XXspbKgt~eIGcDdtvUBqc~cnAJxWhtKhnr78EzOzWysdJRcAaSw1aQ815DbFWEZi2S4yZeYwwWOKa6K9gl~2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill that would set a fixed 60‑day deemed‑approval clock for small‑group insurance rate filings drew both support and caution at a House Health Care & Wellness Committee public hearing.

House Bill 19 57, introduced by Representative Schmick, would align timing for small‑group rate approvals with the current state timeline for individual market filings — requiring small‑group filings to be deemed approved 60 days after submission to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).

Why it matters: Insurers and employers use small‑group rates to budget and make coverage choices. Proponents said greater predictability helps market participants plan. OIC staff warned the measure could conflict with federal programs that affect rates after insurers file, chiefly the Affordable Care Act’s risk‑adjustment program.

What testimony said

- Jennifer Ziegler, Association of Washington Health Plans (support): The association backed more predictability and timeliness for payers and suggested the discussion should also cover predictability, not only timeliness.

- Jane Beyer, Office of the Insurance Commissioner (other than staff): OIC staff testified in opposition or caution. Beyer outlined the federal overlay: the ACA risk‑adjustment program redistributes funds among carriers after enrollment patterns are known, and that federal data arrives during the state review window (June–August). Beyer said carriers routinely adjust rates after they receive risk‑adjustment results and that the agency needs flexibility to reflect those adjustments before final approval. \"We are required to have the individual market rates done in early September so those plans can be sold through the exchange and by October 15 for small group plans,\" she said, adding the federal timing often drives late changes.

- Catherine Lundowski (remote, WHOLE Washington, oppose): Argued that easing rate regulation is not a solution to rising health costs and urged lawmakers to pursue other cost‑control models used internationally.

Committee next steps: The bill was heard in public comment only; no committee final action occurred in this meeting. OIC requested follow‑up conversations to reconcile state‑level timeliness goals with federal risk‑adjustment timing.

Context and technical point: The OIC requires carriers to file rates in May to meet exchange and October deadlines; risk‑adjustment calculations arrive in mid‑summer and can materially affect final premiums, which is the core of OIC’s concern about a fixed deeming rule.","House Bill 19 57 would require small‑group market rate filings to be deemed approved 60 days after filing, matching the individual market standard. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner raised concerns about interaction with the federal risk‑adjustment timeline and the practical need for insurer adjustments after federal data arrives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances seven health bills; key votes recorded

Bill would allow 12‑month refills for hormone therapy if plan covers it; sponsors and clinicians say it improves access

Bill would deem small‑group rate filings approved after 60 days; regulators warn of federal timing conflicts