Bill > HB1881

This bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for reviewing and approving material changes in health care marketplace transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and contracting affiliations. The bill aims to ensure that such transactions do not negatively impact healthcare access, affordability, quality, and equity for Washington state residents. Key provisions include requiring parties to a material change transaction to provide detailed notice to the attorney general and health care authority at least 90 days before the transaction, mandating a thorough review process that includes public hearings and an in-depth assessment of potential impacts on healthcare services, and establishing ongoing monitoring of transactions for five years after completion. The review will specifically examine effects on service access for various populations, including marginalized and underserved communities, and consider impacts on reproductive, gender-affirming, and end-of-life care. If the attorney general determines a transaction could harm healthcare accessibility or quality, they can impose conditions, require modifications, or disapprove the transaction entirely. The bill also provides the attorney general with enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to seek injunctions, assess civil penalties, and take legal action to ensure compliance with the law's requirements. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is aptly named the "Keep Our Care Act."

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1881&Year=2025&Initiative=false