Dear friends and neighbors,
We’re about to wrap up our busy first month of session! Four of my priority bills have passed policy committee and continue to move their way through the legislative process.
While we await further action on those bills, I wanted to share our work to protect & improve your access to high-quality health care.
Protecting access to reproductive care
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a comprehensive package of bills to keep reproductive care available, accessible and affordable in Washington state:
HB 1286 my bill to protect employers who provide support for reproductive care if they’re targeted by other states. Watch my testimony by clicking here.
HB 1155 (My Health, My Data Act) blocks websites and apps from collecting and sharing health data.
HB 1340 ensures that Washington’s providers cannot be disciplined in our state because they provide reproductive or gender affirming care, regardless of where their patients reside.
HB 1469 (Shield Law) protects patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care in Washington from retribution by other states.
HB 1263 (Keep Our Care Act) prohibits hospitals from merging if the consolidation diminishes patients’ access to services — including reproductive, end-of-life and gender-affirming care.
HB 1115 prohibits co-pays and deductible requirements for anyone seeking an abortion.
Supporting our nurses & health care heroes
Nurses and health care workers are our heroes on the frontlines keeping us safe. We must do everything we can to support these essential workers – like helping students on the path to nursing & retaining those currently in the workforce. This session, I’m proud to co-sponsor HB 1643 to create a student loan repayment assistance program for nurses. I’ve also co-sponsored HB 1593 to ensure nurses can get support for workplace post-traumatic stress disorder, and I strongly support safe staffing in our hospitals.
Addressing our mental & behavioral health crisis
Washington families are facing serious challenges right now, especially when it comes to youth mental & behavioral health. As the mom of two young children, I am fully committed to removing barriers to access. If we want to provide support when and where families need it, we need to grow our behavioral health workforce. That’s why I am proud to co-sponsor HB 1348 to create a new behavioral health support specialist certification in order to expand access to high-quality care throughout the state.
Collect your tax credit starting February 1!
It is an honor to represent you in Olympia. Never hesitate to reach out me by phone at (360) 786-7860 or by email if there’s ever anything I can do to assist you or your family.
State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District