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Select Committee opens study of LEOFF‑1 medical benefits; staff to gather anonymized data and report by Dec. 31, 2028
Summary
Committee staff kicked off a study of LEOFF‑1 medical benefits, noting there are six active members and about 6,000 annuitants; the study will examine board administration, medical liability funding, possible consolidation, and will rely on anonymized, aggregated data with a report due 12/31/2028.
Aaron Gutierrez, committee staff, opened the LEOFF‑1 medical benefits study required by statute and laid out the study’s scope, phases and timeline. He told the committee the study will evaluate pension‑board administration and medical benefit liabilities, and identify which state agency or agencies could assume administrative duties if consolidation is appropriate.
Gutierrez said that as of 06/30/2024 there were six active LEOFF‑1 members and just under 6,000 annuitants. He explained that medical benefits under the LEOFF‑1 medical statute (RCW 41.26.150) require employers to pay “necessary medical services,” and that those costs are funded from multiple sources — employer general funds or levies, prior‑act pension funds where available, and a distribution from the statewide fire insurance premium tax.
Staff outlined a multi‑phase work plan: planning and scoping; data gathering and analysis (the likely longest phase); and policy analysis, including evaluation of statewide consolidation options and their hurdles (for example, whether local boards purchase insurance and how that would translate to state management). Gutierrez emphasized privacy protections: staff will request anonymized, aggregate data (head counts, total costs, lists of approved vs. denied procedures) and avoid personally identifiable health records.
The committee did not take action; staff will continue outreach to LEOFF boards, DRS, LNI and the Health Care Authority and return with updates as data arrives. The study report is due to the legislature on 12/31/2028.
