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WashingtonHB 23852025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning the medicaid access program.

Sponsored By: Nicole Macri (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Updated payment benchmarks for Washington Medicaid

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington’s Medicaid Access Program uses updated Medicare benchmarks for initial increases in payments to providers. It uses Medicare rates from December 31 of the prior year, rather than December 31, 2024. Covered services include anesthesia, diagnostics, intensive outpatient care, opioid treatment, emergency care, surgery, inpatient visits, and lower-level behavioral health care. They also include maternity care, office and home visits, consultations, office-administered drugs, vision care, and other physician services. Initial increases apply only to services paid below Medicare rates on that prior December 31, using a uniform percentage across service categories. They are due by January 1 of the second plan year after federal approval, needed managed-care contract changes, and state budget certification. Federal approval must include any needed waivers of provider-assessment rules, and certification must confirm enough state funding for the upcoming fiscal year’s rates. Increase amounts depend on account funds collected in the prior plan year; no fixed increase is set. Starting January 1 of the third plan year, annual adjustments use the latest available Medicare Economic Index. The agency must study access by January 1 in the third plan year and the next two years, using provider participation, service use, patient surveys, and quality measures. Findings must separate managed-care plans from care paid for service by service.

Later deadlines for Washington Medicaid access

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington’s health agency has until September 1, 2030, instead of September 1, 2025, to submit federal approval requests. This allows later steps toward starting the Medicaid Access Program, but also gives the program more time to win approval. The act expires if final federal approval is not received by January 1, 2032, instead of January 1, 2027. The agency must give affected parties and key state offices written notice of expiration. These deadline changes do not themselves change Medicaid eligibility or payment amounts.

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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