Senate hears bill to create Washington Health Care Board, contingent on federal waiver

Senate Bill 5,947 would establish a Washington Health Care Board charged with designing the Washington Health Plan to provide medically necessary services for all residents. Committee staff told senators the board would prepare eligibility, benefits, cost containment, and transitional solutions, but the bill includes a federal‑trigger provision: no part would take effect until federal law authorized states to obtain waivers and federal funding to implement a state‑based universal health program.

Greg Attenaccio explained that the board would have 19 members representing employers, providers, health facilities, financing experts, labor, tribes and state agencies. Supporters — including Whole Washington, Students for a National Health Program, union representatives and health‑rights advocates — urged the committee to schedule an executive session and emphasized the bill costs nothing unless and until federal authorization is obtained.

Senator Bob Hasegawa, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the measure readies the state for federal action and reflects wide stakeholder input. Several witnesses shared personal stories to illustrate gaps under the current system and urged the Legislature to advance the bill so Washington is prepared to implement if and when federal waivers are available.