2020 legislative review
Health Care
Amy Anderson : Education , Workforce , Health Care , and Federal Issues
The 2020 session continued discussions and legislation concerning the cost of health care and contributing factors . With this issue a key topic at the federal level as well , the topic is getting a lot of play in the state . Additional legislation concerning the health care workforce and reimbursement for ambulance services were also a part of this short session .
With a focus on the cost of health care , the legislation introduced tended to focus on the elimination of employer-supported health care and move to a system with more government control and oversight . A system in which partnerships are allowed to develop to address the cost and quality of and access to health care is one which benefits consumers . An example of this is a partnership between Premera Blue Cross and the University of Washington that established the Rural Health Initiative . The $ 4.7 million grant program will place current students from the UW , Seattle University , Washington State University , Pacific Lutheran University , Seattle Pacific University , and Gonzaga University in rural practices throughout Washington . AWB continues to support a free market health care system where partnerships like that between Premera and the UW can develop and where employers have the ability to offer coverage as a benefit and residents have the freedom to choose providers and services .
2SHB 2457 establishing the health care cost transparency board
Passed / AWB Supported
The bill , sponsored by Rep . Eileen Cody , D-West Seattle , establishes a board whose responsibility is to annually calculate the total health care expenditures in Washington and establish a health care cost growth benchmark . AWB supported this bill with concerns . AWB is supportive of efforts to control skyrocketing health care costs but we must be cautious in these efforts . Those who receive health care in the United States , and particularly in Washington , enjoy a level of quality and advanced treatments not found anywhere else on the globe to the degree it is found here in the United States , and particularly in Washington , given the level of medical research that takes place in our state . An evaluation of health care costs in the state of Washington requires a realistic approach so as to not stymie research and innovation in health care delivery . 2SHB 2457 begins the effort to look at costs . AWB will continue to work with our partners and the legislature to ensure this type of effort does not create a board that overreaches its mission . The bill passed the House 67-29 and the Senate 32-17 .
SSB 6209 joining the nurse licensure compact
Lost Opportunity / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Sen . Emily Randall , D-Bremerton , Substitute Senate Bill 6209 was one of several bills during the 2020 session addressing health care workforce shortage issues that would allow Washington to participate in licensing reciprocity and provide governance for telehealth delivery . This is of particular interest to the military in Washington state . With military personnel changing stations every 2-3 years , military spouse employment is a critical issue in supporting the military personnel and missions in our state . One bill of note is SSB 6209 , authorizing Washington state to sign on to the Nurse Licensure Compact ( NLC ). AWB has been supporting the NLC for the past few sessions . The NLC increases access to care , protects patient safety and reduces costs while supporting state-of-the-art health care delivery – for today and in the future . The NLC allows for registered nurses ( RNs ) and licensed practical / vocational nurses ( LPN / VNs ) to have one multistate license , with the privilege to practice in their home state and other NLC states without obtaining additional licenses . The United States , and Washington state in particular , are facing a looming nursing shortage that threatens to develop into a full-blown crisis . According to a 2014 U . S Health Resources and Services Administration Report , Washington is projected to have a shortage of 7,000 nurses by 2025 . In the forecast , Washington ranks 45th in severity , with only five states being worse off . Thirty-four states have signed on to the Nurse Licensure Compact . The Senate version of the bill passed out of committee . Unfortunately , neither party was willing to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote .
ESSB 6534 creating an ambulance transport quality assurance fee
Passed / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Sen . Annette Cleveland , D-Vancouver , the bill establishes an ambulance transport quality assurance fee program for Medicaid-funded emergency ambulance transports provided by private ambulance transport providers . In Washington state , health disparities between communities in rural and urban areas are persistent problems because of a lack of access to care due to a shortage of providers and long travel distances to access care . The lack of health care
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