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Committee hears bill to preserve coverage of preventive services and allow state vaccine guidance
Summary
SB 5967 would let the Washington Department of Health issue state immunization recommendations and require state-regulated plans issued after April 1, 2026 to cover preventive services as of June 30, 2025; agency officials and many clinicians supported the bill while some public commenters warned of politicization and asked for transparency and fiscal details.
Senate Bill 5967 drew extended testimony in a packed public hearing before the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. Committee staff summarized the bill as creating statutory safeguards so that insurance coverage for evidence-based preventive services (including certain immunizations, USPSTF A/B services, and HRSA-recommended child and women’s screenings) remains in place at the state level even if federal guidance changes.
Greg Attanasio, committee staff, said the bill permits the Department of Health to issue immunization recommendations while directing the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to ensure coverage by state-regulated plans. "Plans must also cover the immunization recommendations that are issued by the Department of Health," he told members. The briefing noted two key dates in the bill: plans issued on…
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