Getting to Lower Healthcare Costs in Washington State

Washington Indivisible Podcast

In an effort to address the healthcare cost and access crisis here in Washington, the Economic Opportunity Institute (EOI) is endorsing a slate of bills in this year’s legislative session, taking aim at things like mergers, prescription drug costs, and protections for our frontline healthcare workers. On today's podcast, EOI's healthcare policy advisor, Sam Hatzenbeler, explains the big issues for us. Bills we discussed with current actions: SB 5241 - Keep Our Care Act (preventing even more anti-competitive healthcare consolidation) Bill info: https://www.takeaction.network/bills/6525 Senate action: Support SB 5241 (Keep Our Care Act) by Urging Legislators to Pass It Out of Committee Before this Week's Cutoff: Feb 10 - Feb 16 2023 Take action here: https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/32561?ref=51 SB 5179 / HB 1281 - Expanded Death With Dignity Act (removing barriers to access & making it more compatible with the law's intent) SB 5179 bill info: https://www.takeaction.network/bills/6428 HB 1281 bill info: https://www.takeaction.network/bills/6631 Senate action: Support SB 5179 (Death with Dignity Act) and get this bill a floor vote: Feb 12-Feb 20 2023 Take action here: https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/32633?ref=51 House action: Support (HB 1281) Death with dignity act and ask Rules to move this important bill for a floor vote: Feb 12-Feb 20 2023 Take action here: https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/32632?ref=51 HB 1469 / SB 5489 - Shield Law (providing a shield to patients and providers of abortion or gender-affirming care. Prevents other states from using WA courts or judicial process to enforce their forced-birth laws; provides life-saving refuge to those seeking care.) HB 1469 info: https://www.takeaction.network/bills/6999 SB 5489 info: https://www.takeaction.network/bills/7057 House action: Support Health care services/access (House: On Floor 2nd Reading): Feb 11-Feb 17 2023 Take action here: https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/32609?ref=51 Senate action: Let's get this reproductive justice bill a floor vote!: Feb 6-Feb 20 2023 Take action here: https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/32515?ref=51 Other bills & budget items also discussed: SB 5393 / HB 1379 - Promote Fair Contracting Practices bill (stop unfair negotiating tactics) HB 1508 - Healthcare Cost Transparency Board (HCCTB) (expands accountability mechanisms for healthcare pricing) HB 1269 - Strengthening the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (making prescription drugs more affordable) SB 5236 - Support Frontline Healthcare Workers, aka Washington Safe and Healthy (stops hospitals from balancing their budgets on the backs of their workers) Budget items: Cascade Care Immigrant Healthcare Expansion The Fair Health Prices campaign - visit the website to learn about this new campaign: https://fairhealthprices.org/