This bill introduces a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW aimed at ensuring access to primary care, behavioral health, and affordable hospital services for public employees and their dependents. It defines "contractor" as a health carrier or third-party administrator providing medical insurance under this chapter. The bill mandates that hospitals receiving payments through programs administered by the authority must contract with contractors upon a good faith offer, with specific exceptions for hospitals owned by health maintenance organizations. It establishes reimbursement limits for various healthcare services, including inpatient and outpatient hospital services, primary care, and behavioral health services, with different rates set for specialty hospitals and rural hospitals.

Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for contractors regarding reimbursement rates, which are set to change over time, starting from January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2029. It allows for nonfee-for-service payment methodologies that incentivize quality care while ensuring compliance with the established reimbursement requirements. Contractors are also required to provide cost and quality data to the authority for monitoring purposes. By December 31, 2030, the authority must report on the impacts of this section, including network access and cost implications for public employees. The authority is granted the power to adopt rules for implementation and enforcement of this section.