The bill amends the health technology assessment program in Washington State, specifically updating RCW 70.14.100 and 70.14.110. It introduces new criteria for selecting health technologies for review, emphasizing technologies with established patient access under Medicare or recognized treatment guidelines, as well as those with safety, efficacy, or cost-effectiveness concerns. The bill also mandates that technologies determined by the committee be reconsidered for review at least every eighteen months, taking into account new evidence that may affect previous determinations. Additionally, it allows for the selection of technologies for review based on petitions from interested parties.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the transparency and accountability of the assessment process. It requires the health care authority to publish submissions for new technology assessments and rereview assessments on its website within seven days and mandates that the committee complete its determinations within 180 days. In cases of adverse determinations, the committee must provide a written explanation of the rationale within the same timeframe. These changes aim to ensure a more rigorous and responsive evaluation of health technologies, particularly for life-threatening or rare diseases, by incorporating comprehensive clinical trial evaluations and expert input.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.14.100, 70.14.110