[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",6117542,"mediaKeyId","2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7","parentId",2728098,"title","Committee hears bill to exempt elective PCIs at state-run Harborview from certificate-of-need rules","audioSeconds",1872,"startMs",0,"endMs",1872000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7&start=0&end=1872","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117542/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-exempt-elective-PCIs-at-state-run-Harborview-from-certificate-of-need-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117542-e442b8ccf6c7ba78360134f6b87072ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770962264&Signature=V4m8hyw-9yTDttV1VuXgMfgEmNPp7kDxeeJnGGhZCBnGGpT2asiUiMV1mE3MTPRyhayALOhe-fY7mjAuyFDCUyN2DBuz-vWMgG2~sBcmU7DnYeJEX09Jsh0sAQPoPUPWj5Zdcd-J23QddeZxf8HGkuL-SuXeDGdXymhScMbXrXzlmYmFC3BNnskMubMOZyzbiDCpZRI-FFabKnNjS~xDcv3wFtCbM16P9~8FAIrEiB7P63yyYExx1ocjNBzBtWwCJBW05~6AhtlvvdTOErzT3NT9eOaITW404T6KGTBXsBQ41H6FZTkZbwIHMcxs2rYG9AfjTa1xsO0VRDRZ6oHeRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington Legislature","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Charles Street, sponsor of the bill, asked the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee to exempt elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed in hospitals owned or operated by the state from certificate-of-need requirements.

The bill would let Harborview Medical Center perform non-emergency PCIs on a scheduled basis rather than limiting the facility to emergency-only procedures. Representative Charles Street said Harborview “serves 60 percent of people who are on some kind of government subsidy” and that allowing elective PCIs there would reduce costs for taxpayers and avoid patients waiting until a coronary emergency.

The committee heard clinical and operational testimony. Dr. Michael Chen, a cardiologist at Harborview, told the committee he has cared for the hospital’s elderly, non–English-speaking and low–health-literacy patients for 25 years and that \"once they have gotten to that procedure, to have to stop essentially halfway and then get them another appointment at another hospital to complete the procedure is even more difficult.” He said about 20 percent of patients scheduled elsewhere do not appear for the follow-up and that Harborview had two patients who died while awaiting completion of the procedure.

Rashi Gupta, speaking for Harborview administration, said the hospital had pursued a certificate of need through the Department of Health (DOH) for several years and that rulemaking remained underway; Harborview moved the bill forward after the DOH process had not concluded. Catherine Mahoney of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, representing Saint Anne Hospital in Burien, urged the committee to consider a broader fix—House Bill 19 79—because several community hospitals have invested in emergency PCI capability and remain unable to provide elective follow-up because of certificate-of-need barriers.

Providence’s Teddy McGuire similarly asked the committee to consider broader statutory changes so hospitals categorized in the state’s cardiac system can fully utilize invested capacity without undergoing repeated certificate-of-need review.

No formal action on the bill was recorded in the hearing transcript; the committee set the bill aside to continue other business and executive session work. The record shows questions from committee members about DOH rulemaking timelines and whether the bill would pre-empt or complement continuing DOH work.

If advanced, proponents said the exemption would allow more planned scheduling, reduce repeated emergency visits and transfers, and improve continuity of care for vulnerable patients. Opponents who testified elsewhere recommended a broader statutory solution rather than a facility-specific carve out.

The committee closed the public hearing on the measure; no vote on the bill was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health & Long-Term Care - 3/21/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Charles Street asked the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee to exempt elective percutaneous coronary interventions at Harborview Medical Center from certificate-of-need rules to expand scheduled cardiac care for Medicaid and other subsidized patients.","taxTitle","Health & Long Term Care, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20503,"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},6117528,"Committee advances four bills in executive session with due‑pass recommendations",520,1960000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7&start=1960&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7/thumbnail_1960000.jpg","/articles/6117528/Washington/Committee-advances-four-bills-in-executive-session-with-duepass-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117528-5f65ababbe345aa90eb9484cfddffd0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770962264&Signature=MAptWl-2LX3j7Rmh~N1k3J6gtwmG9UasND7TI4-7~4SMktTq4YXHrA08q~iV2bbex1CNBgVbiiL4ZnFG08T5ohb0GmjOG7ZjhZxNVXz~InMtVatB-8u6HJPZdxO3SzRBlWUQUpDQ8LQ3kHWCuaTfTccxm0qhHwxcnu-NOQf2inIsttJGkScwfZwViJvcQpdy8AxE3l7y3NRuPlsqgbG69LHHFabF6f9-labzk3HhavzDWGV0-hmDrjTId9N-H4FGY4O~tWMRKPJhoNwaxkDvS2ABzaWbfH3Nog2xtt4Nw7R25d5vKbfS0Q9ckul-1flxck0q-YvH1krQFpaADY1P3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the committee’s executive session, members voted to advance four bills by recommending a “due pass” to the Rules Committee.

The committee received staff briefings on each bill before votes. Staff summarized House Bill 12 87 as addressing disclosure of health information for care coordination; House Bill 16 40 as placing licenses issued under chapters 18.71b and 18.71c RCW under the Uniform Disciplinary Act; Substitute House Bill 16 69 concerning coverage requirements for prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces; and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 17 18 relating to well‑being programs for certain healthcare professionals.

For each bill a committee member moved that the bill receive a due‑pass recommendation to Rules. Following the moves and a request for discussion, committee members orally voted and the chair announced each bill \"passed subject to signatures.\" The transcript records the standard oral aye/nay voice votes, without individual roll‑call tallies in the public hearing record.

The committee then exited executive session and resumed public hearings on other agenda items. The transcript records no further amendments or changes to those bills in the executive session portion shown.","In executive session the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee recommended \"due pass\" for four bills — on health‑information disclosure for care coordination, license disciplinary authority, prosthetic/orthotics coverage, and healthcare professional well‑being programs — and sent them to the Rules Committee.",{"_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},6117533,"Hearing on streamlining home‑care worker background checks spotlights long delays and gaps in paid care",1040,2725000,3765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7&start=2725&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7/thumbnail_2725000.jpg","/articles/6117533/Washington/Hearing-on-streamlining-homecare-worker-background-checks-spotlights-long-delays-and-gaps-in-paid-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117533-1f21d4eb74f2afc6d2f1bd197af6f7ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770962264&Signature=BzeQxwZa~z9Mv6z0cyKy83odO5J3kXcm9~t9ZV9bIYXtInTvmw5UR9XTUyN3TzLRVifjrr5S~6d9fK-aRKiyuIIph0MNE~DpV-5Wzqt2FqlOlZ8ZQ-5TwbSHYyFPxTGFLFDzAkw6BGjOm0F1apJT~sqt-wfGpvSlmMZ~xj~mDubPtj9e1bYzycHOWJ2VcaNnWPeITz52qKkZMlQ~mPXZD6iCFX9STbEPOPrcvYgakUVZdyNGe3GXxZPURd-p4id~mNY9-nj0W9RL6zo38GBmo8VK0Z7Tk4ZMmjlBSu3DLS4L2PLG8KRrKTmBZViHNAbgFfcWqWKxF2lvTSt-t6338A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supporters of House Bill 13 95 urged the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee to streamline the state’s background check process for long‑term home‑care workers, saying current procedures cause unpaid interruptions in care and disproportionately harm immigrant and non‑English‑speaking caregivers.

Shane Trescott, vice president of SEIU 775 (the caregivers’ union), said Washington has strong caregiver standards but an unwieldy review system: \"Based on a 2024 survey of our membership, 20 percent of caregivers reported having issues going through this process,\" Trescott said, and delays often pull caregivers out of paid client care while paperwork is pending.

Neli Prieto, a paid caregiver from Sunnyside, described a 27‑year‑old dismissed ticket that triggered a CCNS review during a background check renewal; she said the delay left her client alone and the client died while unpaid care was pending, and she asked the committee to pass the bill so similar tragedies do not recur.

Sponsor Representative Daria Farivar described the bill as a bipartisan compromise developed with providers, advocates, unions and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The bill would (1) allow an employer to avoid a CCNS review if the same conviction or charge was already reviewed for that worker, or if more than 10 years have passed since the last non‑disqualifying offense; (2) allow a long‑term care worker to work with unsupervised access to minors and vulnerable adults for up to 30 days while a CCNS review is conducted; and (3) limit when fingerprint‑based checks must be repeated, retaining initial FBI/state fingerprint screening at hire and mandatory two‑year state checks.

Employer representatives, including Brad Banks of the Washington Home Care Coalition, told the committee workforce shortages are worsened when vetted caregivers are delayed by repeat reviews and cannot be matched to clients; Banks said nursing‑home placement would be a more costly outcome for many clients if home care gaps persist.

Multiple caregivers and family providers recounted repeated fingerprint and review cycles tied to decades‑old records; Maria Osegueda said an immigration charge flagged her background check repeatedly and forced her into unpaid status multiple times.

Supporters said the bill preserves disqualifying standards and initial fingerprint requirements while reducing administrative burden, protecting the caregiver workforce and preventing avoidable gaps in paid care. The committee closed the public hearing on the bill; no committee vote is recorded in the transcript.","Caregivers, union representatives and employers testified in favor of House Bill 13 95, which would streamline background checks and allow home‑care workers to continue paid work for up to 30 days while certain character, competence and suitability (CCNS) reviews proceed.",{"_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},6117538,"Committee hears broad testimony supporting insurer reimbursement for 12‑month hormone refills",916,454000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7&start=454&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7/thumbnail_454000.jpg","/articles/6117538/Washington/Committee-hears-broad-testimony-supporting-insurer-reimbursement-for-12month-hormone-refills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117538-f12d094ed5af782944340728063004a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770962265&Signature=o135KsJxVRs~55aSVjbqWtEawSiUcYO4BX9qdNGeohHf3aTiHFNHSiWU-FJ3TwGJG~JDy~8upFWVnwzRStiuWarK98mzyBJk2ZIX1qJSMI7rhVp5LrtcuxTY5oFG~AhrXrqLY2V0FhR3Q06HDPDSl9IF3Ag~h7Q00gX91uhCQ0FaSYUcHOmrpT06FPHEWOq0nAXsMaZh6qUQFcRqUaOrY9ELCc9gaWGMgOPUsdkvHNqPyjYcPdf-N2DQJB2MkxMXcB5oeQfzV5y2dKRHYsffMwZVW6VlCD~X9aqlkZDuW-E7cis0z0YsZRajEczJE7oqt-DAlsuWfDpY8F8yAaMRVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee heard testimony supporting a bill that would require health plans that cover prescription hormone therapies to reimburse a 12‑month refill at one time when that duration is medically appropriate.

Nathan Bays, representing the governor’s office, told the committee the measure “represents good governance” and would let patients obtain longer supplies of shelf‑stable prescriptions in a way that protects privacy and safety. Multiple individuals with lived experience described the bill as lifesaving for transgender and nonbinary patients who use hormone therapy.

Blake Burgess, testifying for himself, said he is a 42‑year‑old trans man and described screening, stigma and the “deeply uncertain times” that shape access to care. Jenna Comstock, vice president of a statewide advocacy group, urged passage to allow insured patients to secure year‑long supplies and avoid out‑of‑pocket purchases; she cited a Human Rights Campaign analysis, saying many trans adults have lower earnings and higher poverty rates, which can make paying up front for 12 months’ medication impossible.

Clinicians also testified. Eric Janssen, family nurse practitioner and program director for gender-affirming care at Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, said monthly refill requirements place an unnecessary burden on patients and pharmacists and increase the risk of gaps in care. Cora Bruner, a pediatrician at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital representing the Washington chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said one‑year prescriptions would reduce stress for adolescents and families who must travel or take time off repeatedly for short refills.

Multiple public commenters described strategies they use to avoid interruptions, including rationing or ‘‘stockpiling’’ medication in response to political uncertainty about access. Testimony also noted that hormone therapy is used by some people for other medical reasons such as treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome or menopause symptoms.

The committee paused for other items and closed the hearing on the bill; no roll‑call vote on the measure is recorded in the transcript. Committee members asked clarifying questions about Department of Health involvement and whether the bill would be limited to specific facilities; supporters said the measure is intended to be consistent with clinical judgment and not to create new mandates on medical decision‑making.

Advocates urged passage to reduce administrative burden, remove financial barriers and lower the risk of treatment gaps, while noting the measure would preserve clinicians’ ability to determine what is medically appropriate for an individual patient.","The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee heard extensive, largely proponent testimony on a bill that would require insurers to reimburse a 12‑month supply of prescription hormone therapy at once, with supporters saying the change reduces treatment interruptions for transgender and other patients who use hormones.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117523,"Heated public hearing on public‑health information bill draws thousands of sign‑ins and wide‑ranging testimony",2273,3842000,6115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7&start=3842&end=6115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2728098-4df8338f294b49316528c1fa9df33ee7/thumbnail_3842000.jpg","/articles/6117523/Washington/Heated-public-hearing-on-publichealth-information-bill-draws-thousands-of-signins-and-wideranging-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117523-0d79f2087e8c066eb533120cce5f4394/orig.mp4?Expires=1770962264&Signature=euadUJC5p6nY2fNQOik6-2m~QA-pynGQvDWJ1deKlNuStUKvDqilSPsT9ChiGRLSN~S6XRovcLJXK152YZ3XiMemiz9Qne0L0VRoXa6c2kuXW7PbQ0W5KPZSr6F-7zVhlw2qZADX3lKCwWz~XRjf5zQ7yFJkztvsBjxiA6vcRowJLkvrbIo~SKcz9p0LVmeCpiDrubKkkn-eHenXhuhQMSeaXJDEKGiLXa-HhrdUDmdB-1xlLZnDJZzh84n89~8kT1N69FhNDG4XEeusOGaxbJIDSBnmE4EeC2uf84PL8XaWweldFugSpUpKnM6mTi06vasu7gMguE8ouIFjWicwbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee held a contentious hearing on House Bill 15 31, a measure intended to ensure that state and local public‑health guidance is \"guided by the best available science\" and to protect public‑health officials’ ability to provide evidence‑based information on vaccines and other disease‑control measures.

Caitlin Stafford, the governor’s senior health policy adviser, testified in support and told the committee the governor wants Washingtonians to have access to accurate health information that aids decision‑making. Dr. Tao Kwon Get, the Washington State health officer and a pediatrician, said the bill “would make sure that Washington families get that kind of accurate information” and emphasized the need for public health to communicate about isolation, quarantine and vaccination during outbreaks.

Multiple public‑health officials and clinicians, including Jay Miller (Tacoma‑Pierce County health officer), Dr. Beth Ebel (Washington Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics) and Dr. Carrie Horwich (past president‑elect, Washington State Public Health Association), testified in favor, saying accurate, evidence‑based public health guidance prevents outbreaks and spares families needless harm.

The hearing also featured extensive opposition testimony and sharply critical public comment. Speakers opposing the bill included Anthony Mixer and Dakota Manley of the Washington State Young Republicans and other organized opponents who argued the measure contained vague language, could enable state overreach and might suppress dissenting viewpoints. Bob Runnels of Informed Choice Washington and other opponents raised concerns about undefined phrases such as \"best available science\" and the bill’s emergency clause.

Testimony included both historical appeals (Jan Nichols, a polio survivor, urged the Legislature not to return to the pre‑vaccine era) and modern controversy: opponents cited concerns about past public health guidance and federal actions during COVID‑19, while supporters pointed to measles outbreaks in other states and the public‑health need for timely, evidence‑based messaging. Committee members asked questions about quarantine practices, herd immunity thresholds (the health officer said about 95 percent vaccination coverage is needed to protect those who cannot be immunized) and communications strategies for reaching immigrant communities.

The transcript records sign‑in totals provided by committee staff at the end: 569 pro, 4,686 con, and 7 other. The committee closed the hearing after a long panel of oral testimony; no committee vote is recorded in the public hearing transcript.","House Bill 15 31, which would require state and local public‑health guidance to be guided by \"best available science\" and protect the ability of health officials to provide evidence‑based public‑health information, drew large pro and con testimony in the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee; proponents included state health officials and many","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to exempt elective PCIs at state-run Harborview from certificate-of-need rules

Committee advances four bills in executive session with due‑pass recommendations

Hearing on streamlining home‑care worker background checks spotlights long delays and gaps in paid care

Committee hears broad testimony supporting insurer reimbursement for 12‑month hormone refills

Heated public hearing on public‑health information bill draws thousands of sign‑ins and wide‑ranging testimony