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Senate passes bill capping interest on medical debt at 1% after heated debate over rural hospitals
Summary
The Washington State Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5,993 on Feb. 5, 2026, capping interest on medical debt at 1%. Senators debated risks to rural hospitals and rejected an amendment that would have set higher differential rates for small and large systems.
The Washington State Senate voted Feb. 5, 2026, to pass Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5,993, which caps interest on medical debt at 1%. The roll call recorded 209 yes, 19 no and 1 excused, and the bill was declared passed.
Why it matters: Sponsor Senator Emily Alvarado said the cap is aimed at giving families breathing room while they recover from illness and manage bills. "We cap interest on medical debt at 1%," she told her colleagues, arguing that high interest worsens economic harm for people already facing health crises.
What the bill does: The…
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