OLYMPIA—Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) introduced House Bill 1881 today to protect access to quality, affordable healthcare in WA, including the full range of reproductive, end-of-life, and 5 gender-affirming health care services.
“Quality healthcare shouldn’t be a perk for the wealthy few,” said Taylor. “Yet mergers often eliminate critical healthcare options or raise the cost for low-income folks and people in rural areas. Establishing more oversight over the merger process will protect access and affordability.”
Healthcare mergers and consolidations have been shown to drive up costs for patients and reduce the type of care they have access to in their area.
Under HB 1881 mergers would be subject to additional oversight and enforcement from the Attorney General and require a health equity assessment to determine impacts to marginalized communities. It would also give communities a chance to weigh in through public hearing and comment.
“Large healthcare systems should not hide behind complex transactions in order to raise prices on consumers or to terminate access to care,” Taylor said. “My priority is making sure individuals and families across Washington can access appropriate care when they need it.”
The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee at 10:30AM on Tuesday, February 11. Tune in at www.tvw.org.