Bill > SB5241

This bill aims to ensure that material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the health care marketplace, such as mergers, acquisitions, and contracting affiliations, result in the affected communities having the same or greater access to quality, affordable care, including emergency care, primary care, reproductive care, end-of-life care, and gender affirming care. The bill grants the attorney general the authority to review these material change transactions, impose conditions or modifications to ensure requirements are met, and monitor compliance for at least 10 years after the transaction occurs. It also requires the attorney general to conduct public hearings, hire an independent contractor to assess health equity impacts, and potentially appoint a review board of stakeholders to provide recommendations. The bill imposes penalties for noncompliance and requires the attorney general to commission studies on the impact of these transactions in Washington state.