OLYMPIA – Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) introduced House Bill 1881 today, a measure aimed at safeguarding access to affordable, quality health care in Washington, including reproductive, end-of-life, and gender-affirming services.
“Quality health care shouldn’t be a perk for the wealthy few,” said Rep. Taylor. “Yet mergers often eliminate critical health care options or raise costs for low-income folks and people in rural areas. Establishing more oversight over the merger process will protect access and affordability.”
Health care mergers and consolidations have been shown to increase costs for patients while limiting the types of care available in certain communities. Under HB 1881, mergers would face greater oversight and enforcement from the Attorney General’s Office and require a health equity assessment to evaluate potential impacts on marginalized communities. The bill would also ensure public participation by allowing community input through hearings and comment periods.
“Large health care systems should not hide behind complex transactions in order to raise prices on consumers or 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 will now move forward for committee consideration.
Source: Seattle Medium
