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WashingtonHB 23852025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the medicaid access program.

Sponsored By: Nicole Macri (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher pay for Medicaid doctors, tied to Medicare

Beginning January 1 of the second plan year after the law’s conditions are met, Medicaid raises pay for many services that were below Medicare. The raise uses the same percent of Medicare across listed services like office visits, maternity care, surgery, vision, and more. The size of the raise depends on money collected into the program account the year before. Starting January 1 of the third plan year, and every year after, rates update using the Medicare Economic Index.

Medicaid program starts only after federal OK

The Health Care Authority cannot collect or spend program money until three things happen. CMS must approve needed state plan changes or waivers. Managed care contracts must be updated. The state budget office must certify funding for the new rates. The Authority has until September 1, 2030 to send CMS the requests. If CMS has not given final approval by January 1, 2032, the act expires.

State tracks access after rate hikes

The Health Care Authority studies how the rate hikes affect access. Studies start January 1 of the third plan year after the law’s conditions are met. Reports are due again on January 1 in each of the next two plan years. Reports track use of services, provider contracts, patient access in CAHPS surveys, and quality review metrics. Results are broken out by each health plan and fee-for-service.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 87 • No: 56

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 30 • No: 18 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/11/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 57 • No: 38 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 153, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/2/2026House

  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    2/13/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    2/11/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/11/2026House

  16. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/6/2026House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/3/2026House

  18. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/28/2026House

  19. Minority; do not pass.

    1/28/2026House

  20. APP - Majority; do pass.

    1/28/2026House

  21. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/28/2026House

  22. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    1/12/2026House

  23. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/9/2026House

Bill Text

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