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Appropriations Committee reports several bills, rejects hospital exemption amendment on reimbursement bill
Summary
In executive session the House Appropriations Committee reported Engrossed 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 5,083 with a do‑pass recommendation after rejecting an amendment to broaden the rural hospital exemption; it also reported SB 5,478, SB 5,616, SB 5,764 and Senate Joint Resolution 82
The House Appropriations Committee in executive session reported multiple measures out of committee on voice and roll‑call votes, including a contentious reimbursement bill and several health‑and‑benefits items.
The committee voted to report Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,083 with a do‑pass recommendation. Vice Chair Gregersen moved the motion. Representative Schmick moved an amendment (Pringle 7‑37) that would have expanded the rural hospital exemption in the underlying bill; the committee voted not to adopt the amendment. After debate highlighting concerns about and for sole‑community hospitals, the committee voted 18 ayes to 13 nays to report SB 5,083 out with a do‑pass recommendation.
Key discussion on SB 5,083 Representative Schmick argued the amendment would ‘‘treat them all equally’’ and cited two hospitals’ payer mixes, saying Samaritan’s Hospital ‘‘serve[s] currently 65% Medicaid’’ and Confluence ‘‘has a 75% Medicaid, Medicare mix for their patients’’ and warned that limited reimbursement could push small hospitals to merge or curtail services. Opponents, including Representative Macri, urged defeat of the amendment, saying it corrected an earlier exemption clarification and that only two sole community hospitals were eligible under existing law. Representative Corey and others warned that limiting reimbursement could reduce access and lead to program cuts at struggling hospitals. The committee did not adopt the amendment; the motion to report the bill carried 18–13.
Other bills reported - Senate Bill 5,478 (do pass): Moved and reported out on an oral vote; committee tally 31 ayes, 0 nays. Representative D’Oleo noted the bill aligns PEBB authority with SEBB and could allow PEBB to offer benefits already available to SEBB members.
- Senate Bill 5,616 (do pass): Reported out 31–0. The bill’s change is technical in nature (removing the word "Treasury" from an account name) and drew bipartisan consent.
- Senate Bill 5,764 (do pass): Reported out 31–0. Representative Corey said the bill removes the expiration date for the ambulance transport quality assurance fee program, a self‑assessment fee used to stabilize emergency transport funding.
- Senate Joint Resolution 82‑01 (do pass): Reported out on a roll call (25 ayes, 6 nays). Sponsors said the proposed constitutional amendment would allow investment of public funds for long‑term services and other public benefits and could improve returns for WA Cares; some members urged additional review before altering constitutional investment constraints.
Outcome and next steps All measures were reported from committee with the recommendations noted above and will proceed in the legislative process with the committee’s do‑pass recommendations. The committee adjourned immediately after the final vote.
