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 state-administered programs must contract with health carriers upon a good faith offer, with specific reimbursement limits set for various services. Starting January 1, 2027, reimbursement for inpatient and outpatient hospital services is capped at 200% of Medicare rates, with higher caps for specialty hospitals and rural hospitals. By January 1, 2029, these caps will be adjusted to 190% for general services and 300% for specialty hospitals.

Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for contractors regarding reimbursement rates for primary care and behavioral health services, ensuring they are not less than specified percentages of Medicare rates. It allows for non-fee-for-service payment methodologies that promote quality care and mandates that premiums reflect changes in reimbursement rates. The bill also requires contractors to provide data to the authority for monitoring purposes and mandates a report by December 31, 2030, analyzing the impacts of these changes on network access, costs, and state expenditures. The authority is granted the power to adopt rules for enforcement and compliance with the new provisions.