Dear friends & neighbors,
We’re back at it in Olympia! It’s just third week but my colleagues and I are busy working on your behalf.
This year I step into a new role serving as Chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee. It was the honor of a lifetime to hold the gavel and preside over floor debate as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore but I am excited about this new opportunity. My focus remains the same as those who served before me, lowering costs, expanding access to care, and increasing transparency within in the industry.
Healthcare and Wellness is a high-volume committee. As Chair, it’s my job to make sure my colleagues understand the bills and policies coming before us. This allows us to pass legislation that benefits patients and consumers in Washington.
As one of the first people providing care for life changing events that could become pre-existing conditions and chronic illness, I bring a unique perspective to shaping and directing healthcare policy in Washington state.
Care Access
It’s still early but we’ve been able to hold public hearings on some important policies and start the process of moving them out of committee for consideration in the House of Representatives.
- HB 1062 will require insurers to cover biomarker testing for all patients. Biomarkers are generally measured substances and they’re often the first indication that someone is dealing with a serious illness. In fact, this testing has become the standard of care for oncologists. They allow doctors to make earlier diagnoses and improve treatment options. Despite all this these tests are still not always covered by insurers. This bill ensures that the people of Washington will always have access for these tests.
- HB 1129 will require group insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Treating infertility is part of reproductive care. For those paying out of pocket starting a family may take years of saving. Often times, those dealing with infertility have experienced an earlier medical trauma. Covering this care is essential to protecting reproductive health in our state.
- HB 1186 will allow hospitals emergency departments to prescribe a full course of medication. Currently, emergency departments can only provide patients with 48 hours. This creates waste and forces patients to pay for medication in addition to their emergency services. Changing this will lower costs and keep patients from having to make an additional trip the pharmacy after being released.
Participate in Session
Passing good policy through the Healthcare and Wellness committee is much easier when we hear your stories. Be sure to follow along and don’t hesitate to testify either remotely or in person. Follow along with what’s happening in the committee and continue to check your emails for updates from me about what’s happening!
In solidarity,
Dan Bronoske