Committee hears bill to require full employer-paid health benefits for injured workers

Senate Labor & Commerce held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5,548, a measure sponsored by Senator Shoemake that would change how health-care premiums are treated in Washington’s workers’ compensation time‑loss benefits and adjust the percentage schedule used for permanent total disability wage replacement.

The bill would require that, for claims filed on or after July 1, 2026, the employer’s entire contribution for healthcare benefits be included in the worker’s workers’ compensation payments. The bill also alters the current schedule of percentage wage replacement—keeping the base at 60% for unmarried workers with no dependents and raising some steps so that single parents receive parity with married workers; supporters said detailed tables in the bill report show the before-and-after effect.

Why it matters: Supporters said losing employer‑paid health insurance…