OLYMPIA – Washington is one step closer to improved access to health care after the House passed HB 1523, Cascade Care. The bill, offered by House Health Care & Wellness Committee Chair Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle, creates a series of up to three standardized health plans per tier provided on the state health benefit exchange. Cascade Care plans will be designed and procured by the state in an effort to bring stability to the marketplace along with usability, lower cost, and better value for consumers. Cascade Care is governor-request legislation.
“This moves Washington forward in the goal of having affordable access to health care for every resident,” said Cody. “Cascade care is doable, without federal waivers, understandable to the average consumer, and usable with lower deductibles and more services.”
HB 1523 moves on to the Senate, which has companion legislation, SB 5526, still under consideration.