The bill seeks to rename and restructure the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities, now called the "council for health justice and equity." It introduces new definitions, including a clear definition of "health disparities" as differences in health outcomes among specific population groups. The council will comprise 22 core members from various commissions and state departments, focusing on creating an action plan to address health disparities and promote health equity. The bill emphasizes community engagement and collaboration with both governmental and nongovernmental partners, requiring the council to submit an initial report by October 31, 2026, with updates every two years until 2038.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a universal health care commission in Washington to enhance health care access and delivery, preparing for a unified financing system for all residents. This commission will include appointed members from the legislature, health departments, and community stakeholders, tasked with creating a baseline report by November 1, 2022, to analyze the current health care system and propose improvement strategies. Additionally, hospitals are mandated to conduct and publicly share community health needs assessments, develop community benefit implementation strategies, and collect demographic data to address health disparities. The bill also repeals previous legislation related to the former council, signaling a shift towards a more integrated approach to health equity and justice.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.20.270, 43.20.275, 43.20.280, 41.05.840, 70.41.470