The bill establishes an "apple health employer assessment" aimed at funding the health care affordability account in Washington State. This assessment will be imposed on employers with employees enrolled in Medicaid, calculated based on the total member months of these employees multiplied by a percentage of the Medicaid fair share capitation amount. The assessment will be collected quarterly, and the Department of Social and Health Services will calculate the amount owed by each employer annually. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of various administering agencies in data-sharing and notification processes regarding the assessment.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 43.71.130 to specify that funds in the state health care affordability account can only be spent after appropriation and can be used for premium and cost-sharing assistance programs as well as health care programs for low-income individuals. It also includes provisions for the deposit of revenue collected from the new apple health employer assessment into this account, alongside other funding sources. The bill creates a new chapter in Title 74 RCW to encompass these changes.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.71.130