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Committee hears competing testimony on abortion savings program, including $13M fund estimate and premium assessment proposal
Summary
SB 6,182 would create an abortion savings account funded by a new premium assessment; proponents said the state already holds about $13 million in segregated funds and urged passage to protect clinics, while insurers expressed actuarial concerns and opponents called the assessment a hidden tax.
Senate Bill 6,182, introduced by Sen. Jessica Bateman, would establish an "abortion savings program" and require a premium assessment on health carriers to fund grants that support direct clinical abortion services across Washington. Committee staff described a first‑year assessment of $0.82 per coverage month and $0.16 per month thereafter, with revenues placed in a dedicated abortion savings account and initial assessments due in 2027.
Proponents including Nicole Kern of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and Gabby Nazari of Pro Choice Washington framed the bill as a way to protect funds long held in segregated accounts under the Affordable Care Act from recent federal guidance they said would allow carriers to absorb those funds. Nicole Kern stated the balance in Washington was "approximately $13,000,000" with about a $2,000,000 annual surplus and called the bill a way to "right this wrong."
Marissa Ingalls of the Association of Washington Healthcare Plans said her members were concerned that section 1, as drafted, could create an assessment applied across markets (including small and large group plans) and raised actuarial and applicability questions. Opponents including Jessica Casca and Mary Long argued the measure amounts to a mandated tax without opt‑out and warned about shifting costs to individuals and employers. Several providers — Cedar River Clinics and others — and unions testified in favor, saying clinics are struggling without sustainable funding and that the program would help preserve services.
Committee members asked staff and witnesses to clarify eligible organizations, where funds would flow, and budgetary details. Julie Tran noted the bill defines eligible organizations as those that employ providers authorized to terminate a pregnancy and that expenditures from the account are limited to grants and subject to appropriation. The committee recorded extensive public testimony and closed the hearing with no immediate vote recorded in the excerpt.
