The bill seeks to modernize the Washington State Health Care Authority's laws by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). It broadens the scope of health care programs by replacing the term "employees and school" with "public" employees, thereby including a wider range of individuals. The bill also introduces provisions for behavioral health care within state-purchased health care definitions, updates the authority's roles, and establishes uniform policies for health care services purchasing. Additionally, it repeals outdated sections and streamlines the legal framework, emphasizing effective health care delivery and cost containment while ensuring access to quality services for public employees, including retired or disabled individuals.

Moreover, the bill enhances the management of Medicaid programs and behavioral health services by establishing a health care cost transparency board and designating the authority as the state behavioral health authority. It mandates the director to ensure public participation in developing the state behavioral health program and outlines specific reporting requirements for performance measures. The legislation also addresses telemedicine services, expanding definitions and reimbursement processes, and improves access to health care for children by raising income thresholds for the Apple Health for Kids program. Overall, the bill aims to enhance health care efficiency, accessibility, and compliance with state and federal regulations while focusing on vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.05.006, 41.05.009, 41.05.011, 41.05.013, 41.05.015, 41.05.031, 41.05.035, 41.05.039, 41.05.046, 41.05.036, 41.05.068, 41.05.130, 41.05.160, 41.05.220, 41.05.310, 41.05.320, 41.05.400, 41.05.413, 41.05.520, 41.05.540, 41.05.550, 41.05.601, 41.05.600, 41.05.660, 41.05A.120, 41.05A.160, 41.05A.170, 70.320.050, 70.390.020, 71.24.380, 74.09.010, 74.09.171, 74.09.215, 74.09.220, 74.09.325, 74.09.328, 74.09.470, 74.09.4701, 74.09.480, 74.09.522, 74.60.130, 70.41.485, 74.09.645, 74.09.650, 74.09.653, 74.09.655, 74.09.657, 74.09.860
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.05.006, 41.05.009, 41.05.011, 41.05.013, 41.05.015, 41.05.031, 41.05.035, 41.05.039, 41.05.046, 41.05.036, 41.05.068, 41.05.130, 41.05.160, 41.05.220, 41.05.310, 41.05.320, 41.05.400, 41.05.413, 41.05.520, 41.05.540, 41.05.550, 41.05.601, 41.05.600, 41.05.660, 41.05A.120, 41.05A.160, 41.05A.170, 70.320.050, 70.390.020, 71.24.380, 74.09.010, 74.09.171, 74.09.215, 74.09.220, 74.09.325, 74.09.328, 74.09.470, 74.09.4701, 74.09.480, 74.09.522, 74.60.130, 70.41.485, 74.09.645, 74.09.650, 74.09.653, 74.09.655, 74.09.657, 74.09.860
Session Law: 41.05.006, 41.05.009, 41.05.011, 41.05.013, 41.05.015, 41.05.031, 41.05.035, 41.05.039, 41.05.046, 41.05.036, 41.05.068, 41.05.130, 41.05.160, 41.05.220, 41.05.310, 41.05.320, 41.05.400, 41.05.413, 41.05.520, 41.05.540, 41.05.550, 41.05.601, 41.05.600, 41.05.660, 41.05A.120, 41.05A.160, 41.05A.170, 70.320.050, 70.390.020, 71.24.380, 74.09.010, 74.09.171, 74.09.215, 74.09.220, 74.09.325, 74.09.328, 74.09.470, 74.09.4701, 74.09.480, 74.09.522, 74.60.130, 70.41.485, 74.09.645, 74.09.650, 74.09.653, 74.09.655, 74.09.657, 74.09.860