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Washington committee hears competing views on bill to distribute state stockpile of abortion medication

Washington State House Health Care & Wellness Committee · February 18, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Lawmakers heard testimony for and against SSB 5917, which would clarify how the state can donate or sell previously purchased mifepristone and misoprostol and authorize the Department of Corrections to coordinate distribution to health providers and tribal organizations.

The Washington House Health Care and Wellness Committee heard emotional testimony Feb. 18 on SSB 5917, a bill that would change how the state distributes a stockpile of medication (mifepristone and misoprostol) purchased in 2023. Staff told the committee the bill would remove requirements that the Department of Corrections sell the drugs at cost plus a $5 handling fee and would allow DOC to prioritize bulk distribution to health providers and tribal health organizations while authorizing — but not requiring — payment for distribution.

Proponents said the change is a…

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