[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6120854,"mediaKeyId","2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a","parentId",2705938,"title","Senate Bill 5083 would cap hospital commercial rates for state employee plans; committee hears mixed testimony","audioSeconds",1540,"startMs",2000,"endMs",1542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a&start=2&end=1542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a/thumbnail_2000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120854/Washington/Senate-Bill-5083-would-cap-hospital-commercial-rates-for-state-employee-plans-committee-hears-mixed-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120854-f2770bab7f50b01a39f4dedf350dd770/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607918&Signature=cdXNxl-O3ZYbSqOpIg9seaAsAMpx6qK8G9ishAyuFOvALd1alP3QNxpgBRsmKScTIK4VCZ~4BAei03FVb5EOn93l29n43k~muUKmqWrPfPm~ySBvKJ9ZA4PXvwBdPSn8HuI4lpUbmPD2v9OpLmtYxdVa1Y5bI6ipt6KOXAV0C1XUDNlhVnymPLD3ZieRjad1BreecSqhG6j2ZCQTye0QyROlEKtasmr4VX8wYKJHhuHspj9PCxCxC4CS3W5FC4E82La4yCaAZH6Lxtl0JE2GkXO~D3KkMeQOTkSJDWrDKIZEiVG-PflenAmnX77hAwELCelIE9fWG6BxWhEvUuYEUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Appropriations","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Washington Senate Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5083, a request of the Health Care Authority that would require hospitals that participate in the Medical Care Services program (Medicaid) to contract with the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) plans upon receipt of a good‑faith offer and limit reimbursement for services under those contracts to 200 percent of Medicare beginning Jan. 1, 2027, stepping down to 90 percent on Jan. 1, 2029.

Why it matters: PEBB and SEBB together cover roughly 700,000 people, about 15 percent of the commercial market in Washington, and are projected to spend roughly $12.6 billion in the 2025–27 biennium. Proponents told the committee the bill could reduce premiums for public employees and create more transparent hospital pricing; hospital systems and insurers warned it would cut hospital revenue, risk services and shift costs to other commercial payers.

David Pringle, staff to the committee, briefed legislators on the bill, outlining the main provisions: the 200 percent then 90 percent reimbursement caps, higher caps for children’s hospitals (350 percent of Medicare), floors for rural critical access and sole community hospitals (a percentage of allowable costs), and a 50 percent Medicare floor for primary care and non‑facility behavioral health services. Pringle summarized fiscal estimates, saying the Health Care Authority’s fiscal note projects savings to PEBB/SEBB of about $56.2 million in fiscal year 2027, $280–290 million in the 2027–29 biennium and about $414 million in 2029–31; the University of Washington projected lower payments to hospitals but noted offsetting savings because of the large number of UW employees covered by PEBB.

Public testimony split largely by interest: labor and consumer advocates urged support. Nicole Gomez of the Washington Federation of State Employees said, “This bill offers potential drop in premiums and making hospital visits more affordable.” Jared Mason Gere of the Washington Education Association and Emily Bryce of Northwest Health Advocates likewise urged passage as relief for employees, school districts and families, citing Oregon’s earlier experience.

Hospital systems and trade groups opposed the bill. Alex Towne, chief administrative officer of Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake, said the bill’s exemptions exclude Samaritan and other public hospital districts in Central Washington and that the measure would create a $10.4 million revenue shortfall for his hospital. Dr. Andrew Jones, CEO of Confluence Health, said Confluence — “the last remaining independent, private, nonprofit sole community hospital in the state” — would face a $50 million annual cut under the bill as drafted and urged restoring rural exemptions. Shalene Whitaker and Lisa Thatcher of the Washington State Hospital Association warned the committee that reductions they estimate at hundreds of millions per biennium would worsen already negative operating margins and could lengthen wait times or eliminate services. Chris Bandley of America’s Health Insurance Plans and other insurers warned of cost‑shifting to commercial markets and cited a projection that commercial premiums could rise by about 5.7 percent by 2027.

Several speakers highlighted pediatrics and rural care as special cases. Suzanne Bridal, chief financial officer at Seattle Children’s, noted Medicare does not include many pediatric billing codes and estimated an up to $50 million annual impact on Seattle Children’s; she asked that children’s hospitals be exempted as in Oregon’s law. Hospital representatives and rural district leaders called for either broader rural exemptions or closer alignment with Oregon’s statutory approach, including a steadier 200 percent cap without an automatic stepdown to 90 percent.

Committee action: the hearing record shows staff briefing and extensive public testimony; no committee vote or amendment was recorded during the hearing. Pringle noted the bill requires the Health Care Authority to report by Dec. 1, 2030, on the bill’s impacts on network access and state expenditures.

Closing: members heard detailed fiscal notes and extensive public testimony on competing priorities: labor and consumer groups arguing the measure would lower costs and increase transparency for public plans; hospital systems warning of large revenue losses with risks to services, especially in rural areas and for children’s care. The committee moved on to other items after concluding the public hearing on SB 5083.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - 3/19/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington Senate Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5083, a Health Care Authority request that would require hospitals to contract with state employee plans and cap reimbursements at set multiples of Medicare beginning in 2027.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20254,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120835,"Senate Bill 5738 would extend post‑retirement work hour limits for small districts; supporters say it helps staffing",116,6262000,6378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a&start=6262&end=6378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a/thumbnail_6262000.jpg","/articles/6120835/Washington/Senate-Bill-5738-would-extend-postretirement-work-hour-limits-for-small-districts-supporters-say-it-helps-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120835-d150130eaa74d3e5101bd1e24dc82cf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607918&Signature=NscdUtP93STFAjUuQXrk2fMfExaX3gPXqdsQT4~bkY~~O73L-maQYz4O2rNcQaZ96UD9rWxWj0Vi8RI8iRMvAu6h35Or3TEk97amffb-L-LxrMyM7VPgiyEiZ5dGev0tncRBZ3Q3L-44D4cqVP92LQlNX0lYZyqGNkHSc6ffY2cXXGmlW4b-jgK8nVw3CQkS8sTiMDkiTkMrUMFMmI8EUj4t7zPjEUZslZgiD91szZftei0Al53xD37Z1CXGlvTmIkL8HOcljjJ3a8OPuit54vYpv2~BNVnOi57BzZZkwo~mHiO6Xhkp6BO~SiwiiSU0KNgz6hhxCVHW4fx40vGLkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard a briefing and public testimony on substitute Senate Bill 5738, which would extend temporary post‑retirement employment provisions for members of multiple public retirement systems, allowing retirees to work up to 1,040 hours in certain positions (expanded from a former 867‑hour limit) without pension suspension, and extend the temporary provisions’ sunset date.

Why it matters: Committee staff said prior temporary provisions (passed in 2022 and expanded in 2023) permitted certain retirees in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS/TERS), Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), School Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), and Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) to work limited hours without impacting pensions. The substitute extends the expiration of those provisions to a later date and increases the allowed hours from 867 to 1,040 for qualifying post‑retirement employment in specified roles, supporting small “class 2” school districts and other employers that rely on part‑time retired professionals.

Support was bipartisan and focused on small and rural districts. Devin Gomboski representing the ESD 105 Schools Coalition urged the committee to pass the proposal, saying it provides “breathing room” while districts recruit and train the next generation of educators and administrators. Dr. Anne Varcadis and Lynn Sharf — superintendents from small districts — said the rehire option helps districts hire experienced part‑time leaders, maintain stability and avoid closures; Jim Kolkowski of the Rural Education Center and other rural advocates also urged passage. Committee staff and presenters said the fiscal impact is negligible and only a few hundred retirees actually exceed prior hour limits.

Committee action: the hearing record shows staff briefing and public testimony in support; no committee vote is recorded in the transcript.","Substitute Senate Bill 5738 would extend temporary rules allowing retired public employees to work up to 1,040 hours in certain positions without suspending pensions; small and rural districts urged the extension to preserve experienced part‑time leaders and staff.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120839,"Senate Bill 5616 would rename Washington Saves Administrative Treasury Trust account; staff report suggests no fiscal impact",101,5807000,5908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a&start=5807&end=5908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a/thumbnail_5807000.jpg","/articles/6120839/Washington/Senate-Bill-5616-would-rename-Washington-Saves-Administrative-Treasury-Trust-account-staff-report-suggests-no-fiscal-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120839-c6ffea2c73202aff810ee32ec0ed06f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607918&Signature=Y0MMrKSq4q6tv7nZws6RjrT5WUzahrRy6ZHWDDhaRw-MHVLb0xlVaWK0dcgZvMrulKMz3P2h6cwtq2S1GyQk0L0la2h~MKh3-WauxDVmV47ADHUE7Itnu5VFatG9cETIyyRuq3wenDmRRG3mjHeYhfvHOsd8HaQdlMdL9W1~DE~3kd4zLmwPZ~Eo1~H2zbxmaV-9NolCHQcRYfwzvL2GFitjO77JWIJdj1si54E5hcOuLNMULFMzmSuEvILzvpP6TQrQVb9w-6bez3JzHCjMYQUxhdelkaKN4860mvRqqL5aL9bskhddOpZXYMuScJA-5matoKReOcf70SchdmFbpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee received a short staff briefing on Senate Bill 5616, a Department of Financial Institutions request to amend the name of an existing account for the Washington Saves automatic enrollment retirement program.

Why it matters: Washington Saves is the state‑facilitated automatic‑enrollment individual retirement savings program established in 2024. The bill would change the account name from the Washington Saves Administrative Treasury Trust account to the Washington Saves Administrative Trust account. The Department of Financial Institutions and the Office of the State Treasurer both reported no fiscal impact from the name change.

There were no public testifiers signed in for SB 5616 in the hearing record. Committee staff concluded the briefing with no further questions recorded on the transcript.","A brief staff briefing explained that Senate Bill 5616 renames the Washington Saves Administrative Treasury Trust account to the Washington Saves Administrative Trust account; both the Department of Financial Institutions and the State Treasurer estimate no fiscal impact and no public testimony was recorded.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120843,"Senate Bill 5263 would raise special‑education multipliers and remove cap; districts, advocates urge full funding",2144,3604000,5748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a&start=3604&end=5748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a/thumbnail_3604000.jpg","/articles/6120843/Washington/Senate-Bill-5263-would-raise-specialeducation-multipliers-and-remove-cap-districts-advocates-urge-full-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120843-53671742f0746ab66c211ba29ae45ab0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607918&Signature=aatuHknayKPsW0SrGA6dPekikzypwnhCkRywv09~6FubQo5-truoWKX2aDtSLNR048r0xEitAdQrxXyMoiTcTfwXrx78hnI-4k09jIZBxTWVmd-pQzLhLeVURf~p6u~0sXiJTzRa3t~uE8du5avnKJZXXwkTsJSCR2Ezwy5eAxo0Y5vuu8p0vR86rcveY5YdlJPBprt3kHp2XQ17a1Epyd2wI6TNvQYOdTfTNK9U4A03yBl7hLoVPCv-djUHl4yyLeX8KZO8m0ixuvAQgrQ~9LVOlLsjqq1jlffS6mIU5JK~QHBIw5M6IgIylRMYQxEw1TO8zTtaeU6u6vfJJDnRTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee received a staff briefing and extensive public testimony on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5263, which would raise the special education excess‑cost multiplier to 1.32 for all ages, remove the 16 percent cap on funded special education enrollment, adjust the basic education amount (BEA) calculation for special education to use the greater of district BEA or the statewide average, and authorize a small OSPI set‑aside for statewide technical assistance and an online IEP system.

Why it matters: OSPI staff told the committee roughly 154,000 students in kindergarten and above receive special education services in the state. OSPI’s fiscal note estimates a state‑funding impact of about $915 million in the 2025–27 biennium and roughly $2.0 billion over a four‑year outlook; including Department of Children, Youth and Families impacts, staff cited a total fiscal note near $966 million for 2025–27 and $2.1 billion over four years. Staff cautioned costs could be higher depending on enrollment responses to cap removal.

James Mackison (committee staff) explained the bill’s technical changes, including multiplying BEA by a single 1.32 multiplier for K–12 special education (removing the prior in‑class/time‑based tiers), increasing pre‑K and early‑intervention multipliers to 1.32, removing the 16 percent cap and authorizing OSPI to set a statewide percentage for redirecting general apportionment funding to special education. He described optional set‑aside uses including professional development for inclusionary practice and a statewide online IEP system developed with educational service districts.

OSPI and education groups strongly supported the bill. Misha Chernisky (OSPI) urged continued removal of the cap and noted 70 percent of districts above the cap have fewer than 1,000 students — meaning small and rural districts would benefit most. Larry Delaney (Washington Education Association) and numerous district leaders described districts diverting levy dollars to cover special education costs and pushed for multiplier increases and cap removal. Bellevue Superintendent Kelly Aramaki and Seattle Superintendent Brent Jones testified the bill would reduce large special‑education deficits; Jones said Seattle’s special education funding deficit is “around $74,000,000 a year” and growing.

Some public commenters urged caution. One online speaker (identified in the record as Eric Fisk) argued against removing the 16 percent cap, contending that federal law intends special education for a much smaller subset of students and warning the change could incentivize over‑identification; he urged prioritizing other funding approaches and stronger identification practices.

Committee action: staff presented fiscal analyses and the committee accepted public testimony; no committee vote was recorded in the hearing. Supporters urged legislators to keep the bill’s funding levels in the budget; staff noted the fiscal note assumptions and potential additional costs if enrollment grows beyond projections.","Engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5263 proposes increasing excess‑cost multipliers for special education to 1.32, removing the 16 percent enrollment cap, lowering safety‑net thresholds and funding statewide supports; superintendents, OSPI and parent advocates testified that the changes are needed to close large funding gaps.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120849,"Senate Bill 5192 would raise per‑pupil MSOC funding; districts cite rising insurance and utility costs",2035,1544000,3579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a&start=1544&end=3579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705938-3374c482ce25716da687fd2603c8b52a/thumbnail_1544000.jpg","/articles/6120849/Washington/Senate-Bill-5192-would-raise-perpupil-MSOC-funding-districts-cite-rising-insurance-and-utility-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120849-0b0e95f9c7a68173656a3ce0f4c0d60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607918&Signature=OcqKmxfOfX22NLmoPueeBSz85wIFhxlkPQ82dRlYIJVKG3QVMH5cQvQcJz3HpruhcZKRUNiinpl2ZolOo2rfiNT~1557OGOPE5U3a4lqmiOOxPNiL3IAADojWpi-~gUS7l8oJ4t0H7YIQzl2c~5h4DwUbk-9Rf1aVAWZK5Ebq88PbI6vhTvl0AL8-hpAWZBuWn~nV09M-5tHzXzVlf3BWXBH1oc6pwhWU9yMTHaSjNV24NJ9YEgywP6~xEtlAoUmBWfDyUCz5vWyptwON-XxP2eNladi~Uspe3sd0dcmVbD1H5EH0dWpXm7wBxVtkcmEc-qjlqQ4PU22KAwIrHDidQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee received a staff briefing and extensive public testimony on engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5192, which would raise the per‑pupil state allocation for materials, supplies and operating costs (MSOC) and change several technical elements of how MSOC is calculated and reported.

Why it matters: MSOC covers non‑staff operating costs such as utilities, insurance and classroom supplies. Testifiers from districts large and small described growing MSOC deficits driven by rising insurance premiums and utility costs, and said they had been using local levy funds to cover basic operating needs.

James Maxson, committee staff, summarized the bill. The bill increases the general education MSOC amount beginning in the 2025–26 school year (staff referenced amounts by per‑pupil dollar increases), removes subcategory amounts from statute in favor of a single per‑pupil amount for general education and a single amount for grades 9–12, and requires districts beginning in 2026–27 to report MSOC expenditures by set categories to OSPI. It also changes enrollment counts used for MSOC from the current‑year annual average FTE to a three‑year average and ties MSOC inflation indexing to the same implicit price deflator (IPD) used for salaries. Maxson noted OSPI’s fiscal estimate of roughly $184 million in the 2025–27 biennium and $430 million over a four‑year outlook.

School leaders and advocacy groups testified in support. Sandy Hayes, a school board member and past WOSDA president, told the committee rising insurance costs forced North Shore School District to consider cuts to deans and assistant principals. Bellevue Superintendent Kelly Aramaki said her district’s MSOC deficit was $8.6 million and the bill would halve that gap; she said the district faced broader budget deficits that have led to staff reductions. Shoreline PTA advocacy chair Mallory Larson said her district’s unreserved fund balance would be negative by 2026 without additional MSOC funding. Other speakers — including superintendents, district finance chiefs and parent and student advocates — provided examples of schools using levies to buy basic supplies, paying staff reductions, or facing unsafe building conditions when routine maintenance and supplies go unfunded.

Supporters argued the bill improves predictability (three‑year averaging) and aligns inflation adjustments with salary calculations to reduce year‑to‑year funding swings. Opposing testimony was limited in the hearing record; staff briefing and many district representatives urged that funding be preserved or increased in the budget.

Committee action: staff provided fiscal estimates and invited testimony; no committee vote was recorded during the hearing. Proponents asked the committee to preserve the bill’s funding levels in budget negotiations.","A committee briefing and public testimony on engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5192 focused on increasing materials, supplies and operating costs (MSOC) per‑pupil allocations, changing enrollment averaging, and aligning MSOC inflation adjustments with salary IPD; school leaders said the bill would reduce painful cuts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Bill 5083 would cap hospital commercial rates for state employee plans; committee hears mixed testimony

Senate Bill 5738 would extend post‑retirement work hour limits for small districts; supporters say it helps staffing

Senate Bill 5616 would rename Washington Saves Administrative Treasury Trust account; staff report suggests no fiscal impact

Senate Bill 5263 would raise special‑education multipliers and remove cap; districts, advocates urge full funding

Senate Bill 5192 would raise per‑pupil MSOC funding; districts cite rising insurance and utility costs