Washington 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Enacted 19 D cosponsors

HB 2554 — Mitigating inequity in the health insurance market caused by health plans that exclude certain mandated benefits.

Last action — Effective date 6/11/2020.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 15, 2020. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 22 sponsors

    1 primary, 21 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (19 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 2554 enhances transparency in the health insurance market by requiring that health carriers clearly communicate which benefits are excluded from their plans and provide alternatives for accessing those benefits. Additionally, it allows the insurance commissioner to impose a fee on carriers that exclude essential health benefits, ensuring they cover the costs associated with these exclusions. This change matters because it aims to reduce inequities in health coverage and improve consumer awareness, helping individuals make informed choices about their insurance plans. Furthermore, the deadline for the exchange to provide this information shifted from November 1, 2021, to July 1, 2021, emphasizing a faster implementation for consumer access.

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H-4546.1SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2554State of Washington66th Legislature2020 Regular SessionByHouse Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Stonier, Cody, Macri, Riccelli, Robinson, Tharinger, Senn, Peterson, Valdez, Davis, Doglio, Dolan, Fitzgibbon, Walen, Frame, Ramel, Pollet, Ryu, Goodman, Lekanoff, Ormsby, and Chapman)READ FIRST TIME 02/07/20.AN ACT Relating to mitigating inequity in the health insurance market caused by health plans that exclude certain mandated benefits;
H-3836.1HOUSE BILL 2554State of Washington66th Legislature2020 Regular SessionByRepresentatives Stonier, Cody, Macri, Riccelli, Robinson, Tharinger, Senn, Peterson, Valdez, Davis, Doglio, Dolan, Fitzgibbon, Walen, Frame, Ramel, Pollet, Ryu, Goodman, Lekanoff, Ormsby, and ChapmanRead first time 01/15/20.Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.AN ACT Relating to mitigating inequity in the health insurance market caused by health plans that exclude certain mandated benefits;
and(c) Clearly and legibly include the information specified in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection in any of its marketing materials that include a list of benefits covered under the plan.
and(c) Clearly and legibly include the information specified in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection in all of its marketing materials for that plan.
The information must also be listed in the benefit booklet and posted on the carrier's health plan or student health plan web site.(2) For the purpose of mitigating inequity in the health insurance market, the commissioner may assess a fee on any health carrier offering a health plan or student health plan if the health plan or student health plan excludes, under state or federal law, any essential health benefit or coverage that is otherwise required or mandated by this title or rules adopted by the commissioner.(a) The commissioner shall set the fee in an amount that is the actuarial equivalent of costs attributed to the provision and administration of the excluded benefit.
The information must also be listed in the benefit booklet and posted on the carrier's health plan or student health plan web site.(2) For the purpose of mitigating inequity in the health insurance market, the commissioner may assess a fee on any health carrier offering a health plan or student health plan if the health plan or student health plan excludes, under state or federal law, any essential health benefit or coverage that is otherwise required or mandated by this title or rules adopted by the commissioner.(a) The fee must be the actuarial equivalent of costs attributed to the provision and administration of the excluded benefit.(b) Fees paid under this section must be deposited into the general fund.(3) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the commissioner to take enforcement action if a health carrier unlawfully fails to comply with the provisions of this title.(4) The commissioner shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this section.NEW SECTION.  Sec.
As part of its rate filing, a health carrier subject to this subsection (2) must submit to the commissioner an estimate of the amount of the fee, including supporting documentation of its methods for estimating the fee.
The carrier must include in its supporting documentation a certification by a member of the American academy of actuaries that the estimated fee is the actuarial equivalent of costs attributed to the provision and administration of the excluded benefit.(b) Fees paid under this section must be deposited into the general fund.(3) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the commissioner to take enforcement action if a health carrier unlawfully fails to comply with the provisions of this title.(4) The commissioner shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this section.NEW SECTION.  Sec.
A new section is added to chapter 43.71 RCW to read as follows:(1) Beginning November 1, 2021, the exchange shall provide individuals seeking to enroll in coverage on its web site with access to the information a health carrier must provide under section 1 of this act for any qualified health plan the health carrier offers that excludes, under state or federal law, any benefit required or mandated by Title 48 RCW or rules adopted by the commissioner.(2) The exchange may provide the access required under this section directly on its web site, through a link to an external web site, or in any other manner that allows consumers to easily access the information.NEW SECTION.  Sec.
A new section is added to chapter 43.71 RCW to read as follows:(1) Beginning July 1, 2021, the exchange shall provide individuals seeking to purchase coverage on its web site with access to the information a health carrier must provide under section 1 of this act for any qualified health plan the health carrier offers that excludes, under state or federal law, any benefit required or mandated by Title 48 RCW or rules adopted by the commissioner.(2) The exchange may provide the access required under this section directly on its web site, through a link to an external web site, or in any other manner that allows consumers to easily access the information.--- END ---
3.
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.--- END ---
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Action History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2020.

  2. Chapter 283, 2020 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 58; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  14. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 03:30 PM

  15. Minority; do not pass.

  16. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Health & Long Term Care.

  17. Referred to Ways & Means.

  18. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care at 01:30 PM

  19. Minority; do not pass.

  20. And refer to Ways & Means.

  21. HLTC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  22. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care at 08:00 AM

  23. First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care.

  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  25. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  26. 1st substitute bill substituted.

  27. 1st substitute bill substituted.

  28. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  29. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  30. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  31. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  32. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 01:30 PM

  33. Minority; do not pass.

  34. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Health Care & Wellness.

  35. Minority; do not pass.

  36. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Health Care & Wellness.

  37. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 09:00 AM

  38. Referred to Appropriations.

  39. Referred to Appropriations.

  40. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 01:30 PM

  41. Minority; without recommendation.

  42. Minority; do not pass.

  43. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  44. Minority; without recommendation.

  45. Minority; do not pass.

  46. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  47. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 01:30 PM

  48. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 129 not signed on · 32 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (21)

Not signed on (129)

129 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#13)

Passed 58 Yea · 39 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 161700
Republican 02200
Democrat 42001
Total 583901
% of votes cast 59%40%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Appleton — Yea
Blake — Yea
Chambers — Yea
Chandler — Nay
Chopp — Yea
Cody — Yea
DeBolt — Nay
Dolan — Yea
Hoff — Nay
Hudgins — Yea
Irwin — Nay
Jenkin — Nay
Kirby — Yea
Klippert — Nay
Kraft — Nay
Kretz — Nay
Maycumber — Nay
McCaslin — Nay
Mead — Yea
Mosbrucker — Nay
Pellicciotti — Yea
Pettigrew — Yea
Sells — Yea
Shea — Nay
Smith — Nay
Sullivan — Yea
Sutherland — Nay
Tarleton — Yea
Vick — Nay
Wilcox — Nay
Young — Nay
Johnson, J. — Yea
Van Werven — Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Chris Kilduff Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Not Voting
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tana Senn Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Michelle Valdez Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#47)

Passed 28 Yea · 21 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 141100
Republican 01000
Democrat 14000
Total 282100
% of votes cast 57%43%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Becker — Nay
Billig — Yea
Brown — Nay
Carlyle — Yea
Darneille — Yea
Das — Yea
Ericksen — Nay
Frockt — Yea
Hawkins — Nay
Hobbs — Yea
Honeyford — Nay
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
McCoy — Yea
Mullet — Yea
O'Ban — Nay
Padden — Nay
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Nay
Rolfes — Yea
Sheldon — Nay
Takko — Yea
Wilson, L. — Nay
Zeiger — Nay
Van De Wege — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Curtis King Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#14)

Passed 59 Yea · 39 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 151800
Republican 12100
Democrat 43000
Total 593900
% of votes cast 60%40%0%0%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Appleton — Yea
Blake — Yea
Chambers — Nay
Chandler — Yea
Chopp — Yea
Cody — Yea
DeBolt — Nay
Dolan — Yea
Hoff — Nay
Hudgins — Yea
Irwin — Nay
Jenkin — Nay
Johnson, J. — Yea
Kirby — Yea
Klippert — Nay
Kraft — Nay
Kretz — Nay
Maycumber — Nay
McCaslin — Nay
Mead — Yea
Mosbrucker — Nay
Pellicciotti — Yea
Pettigrew — Yea
Sells — Yea
Shea — Nay
Smith — Nay
Sullivan — Yea
Sutherland — Nay
Tarleton — Yea
Vick — Nay
Wilcox — Nay
Young — Nay
Van Werven — Nay
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Chris Kilduff Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tana Senn Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Michelle Valdez Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2554?
HB 2554 is sponsored by Cody, Nicole Macri (Democrat), Marcus Riccelli (Democrat), Robinson, Steve Tharinger (Democrat), Strom Peterson (Democrat), Javier Valdez (Democrat), Lauren Davis (Democrat), Beth Doglio (Democrat), Dolan, Joe Fitzgibbon (Democrat), Amy Walen (Democrat), Noel Frame (Democrat), Alex Ramel (Democrat), Gerry Pollet (Democrat), Cindy Ryu (Democrat), Roger Goodman (Democrat), Debra Lekanoff (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Mike Chapman (Democrat), Tana Senn (Democrat), and Monica Jurado Stonier (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 2554?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 15, 2020. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 2554?
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