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WashingtonSB 55682025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Updating and modernizing the Washington state health plan.

Sponsored By: Annette Cleveland (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public input shapes Washington health planning

Washington’s Office of Financial Management must submit a preliminary health strategy report by July 1, 2026. Before that report, it must hold at least one virtual or hybrid public hearing and allow written comments. By December 31, 2027, it must deliver the completed strategy and policy recommendations covering through 2032 to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. It must also submit the strategy to the Department of Health to guide its certificate-of-need work. Starting January 1, 2033, the office must report on strategy updates and implementation every four years. Before the completed strategy and each update, it must hold at least one virtual or hybrid public meeting. The strategy and updates can rotate among regions. Public participation does not guarantee that comments are adopted.

Washington uses health data with safeguards

Washington’s Office of Financial Management must develop or contract for a computerized system supporting health planning and facility approval reviews. It must use the all-payer claims database and annual reports submitted to the Health Care Authority. It must also use relevant data from that authority, the health and social services departments, insurance commissioner, and Health Benefit Exchange when this avoids duplicate collection. The office gains access to professional and facility licensing data, but not Social Security numbers or background-check materials. The Department of Health must replace Social Security numbers with another identifier that links licensing records. The office may arrange research using public or private data. It must follow state and federal confidentiality laws and ethical guidelines, keeping the same privacy protections as each data source. These changes do not directly change household benefits or costs.

Broader Washington health planning, with limits

Effective July 27, 2025, the law requires Washington’s Office of Financial Management to develop a broader health resources strategy with public and private partners. Planning includes behavioral health hospitals, kidney treatment centers, outpatient care and surgery facilities, and drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The strategy must address health equity, regional needs, and measurable goals for access, health outcomes, quality, and costs. It must inventory facilities and services, project needs, and set guidance for facility locations, growth, and state approval reviews. It must also identify health data gaps, assess new care methods and technology, and recommend changes to those reviews. A rural health plan must identify unmet needs and recommend changes to federal or state reimbursement policies. The Department of Health keeps authority over certificate-of-need decisions, which review certain health facility and service projects; the planning office cannot make those decisions. The department cannot adopt rules in response to the 2027 strategy, but can adopt rules for other reasons. The law itself does not change household benefits, eligibility, costs, or facility licensing rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Annette Cleveland

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Cortes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 130 • No: 60

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 34 • No: 13 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/15/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 59 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 37 • No: 9 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 388, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 34; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/23/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/23/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/15/2025Senate

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

    4/14/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/4/2025Senate

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/4/2025Senate

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    4/4/2025Senate

  17. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/4/2025Senate

  18. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/21/2025Senate

  19. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/19/2025Senate

  20. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/19/2025Senate

  21. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    3/19/2025Senate

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

    2/28/2025Senate

  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 9; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    2/26/2025Senate

  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/26/2025Senate

  25. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/26/2025Senate

Bill Text

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