Bill > HB2331

This bill aims to prevent reductions in access to pediatric primary care and behavioral health services by requiring the state authority to establish a standardized definition and reporting mechanism for wait times for these services by December 31, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2027, the authority will be prohibited from reducing medical assistance reimbursement rates for any pediatric primary care or applied behavior analysis (ABA) service code if the average statewide waitlist for that service exceeds 30 days. ABA is a type of therapy that helps children with autism spectrum disorder develop skills. Furthermore, if the agency's overall appropriation authority decreases, reductions must first be made to administrative costs, then to nonbargained executive management salaries, and lastly to reimbursement rates for benefits and client services. The bill also mandates that any rate increases for these pediatric services provided by the legislature must be applied as a distinct layer on top of the base rate.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2331&Year=2025&Initiative=false