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WashingtonSB 51242025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Establishing network adequacy standards for skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals.

Sponsored By: Ron Muzzall (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New Medicaid nursing home and rehab rules

Washington Medicaid managed care members have a right to timely care after hospital treatment when medically necessary and plan-approved. Washington's Health Care Authority must adopt access standards for nursing homes and inpatient rehab facilities by January 1, 2028. Contracts or contract changes effective on or after July 1, 2028, must follow these standards. The standards also become part of existing monitoring and reporting requirements. They must address available providers, timely access based on medical needs, local care, and applicable federal Medicaid rules. Nursing home geographic limits cannot be broader than the plan's region; inpatient rehab limits cannot be narrower. Rehab standards must also consider patient referral and practice patterns. The authority must seek feedback from hospitals, nursing homes, managed care plans, and associations representing them. Representatives of any added provider types must also be included. Feedback is required at three stages: initial criteria, draft standards, and final standards before publication and inclusion in contracts. Facilities still decide whether their staffing and reasonable accommodations can meet a person's care needs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ron Muzzall

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 206, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/6/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026Senate

  11. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/27/2026Senate

  12. APP - Majority; do pass.

    2/27/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/23/2026Senate

  14. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/20/2026Senate

  15. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    2/20/2026Senate

  16. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

    1/26/2026Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    1/21/2026Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    1/21/2026Senate

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    1/21/2026Senate

  20. Returned to second reading for amendment.

    1/21/2026Senate

  21. Rules suspended.

    1/21/2026Senate

  22. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

    1/13/2026Senate

  23. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026Senate

  24. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

    4/27/2025Senate

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

    4/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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