Our next set of actions concern 4 bills (HB2073, SB5808, SB6173, SSB5331) that provide funds for a State Health Care Affordability Account, to assist low-income residents with health care premiums and other health-related costs. The legislation will help rebalance the tax code, making it less regressive by having businesses that can afford it pay their fair share for this account.
SSB5331 will make it easier for residents to get proper restitution in instances of insurance company misconduct.
Please take action today, as suggested below! Thank you for your continued support!
HB2073 Addressing funding for health insurance premium assistance
Status: This bill is currently on the House Floor Calendar.
What it does: Requires insurance carriers to pay 10 percent of their excessive surplus to the OIC for deposit into the State Health Care Affordability Account for the Cascade Care Savings Program.
“Excessive” surplus is defined as the amount of a nonprofit health carrier's surplus that is 100 times the minimum net worth requirements as reported on the carrier's annual statement for calendar year 2025.
Why it’s important: Health insurance premiums will be more affordable to Cascade Care enrollees. Insurers will either use more of their financial reserves to directly reduce premiums, or they’ll pay into the state health care affordability account for premium assistance.
Action: Contact your Representatives to vote YES on this bill. Use the suggested script, if desired.
Suggested Script:
Please vote YES on HB2073.
Health insurance rates have become unaffordable for many Washingtonians. Non-profit insurers should be using more of their surplus reserves to help reduce health insurance premiums.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
SB5808 Funding health insurance premium assistance.
Status: This is the companion bill to HB2073. It had a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, but has not been brought to a vote.
(Same bill description as HB2073)
Action: Ask your Senator on Ways and Means to advocate that the bill be brought to Executive Session so that it can be brought to a committee vote.
To see Ways and Means Committee membership, tap/click HERE, then tap/click “Members and Staff” navigation link near the top of page. Committee leadership have direct message links on Members and Staff page.
If your Senator is on the committee, you can message them using the email format: [email protected]
Suggested Script:
Please advocate to bring SB5808 to Executive Session in Ways and Means Committee, so that it can be brought to a committee vote.
Health insurance rates have become unaffordable for many Washingtonians. Non-profit insurers should be using more of their surplus reserves to help reduce health insurance premiums.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
SB6173 Creating an apple health employer assessment
Bill Status: This bill was brought into Senate Ways and Means Executive Session February 19, but no action was taken. We would like the bill brought to the committee for a vote.
What it does: Creates an Apple Health Employer Assessment (AHEA). Apple Health is the name of Washington’s Medicaid Program. The Assessment will be deposited to the State Health Care Affordability Account which will be used for health care programs for low-income individuals. The Assessment will be based on the Medicaid managed care costs for Washington’s Medicaid expansion population.
An Apple Health Employer is a non-governmental employer with at least 100 employees, with one or more employees concurrently enrolled in Medicaid.
Why it matters: Asks large employers whose workers rely on Apple Health to pay their fair share, directing new dollars into Washington’s Health Care Affordability Account to lower costs and strengthen coverage for low‑income residents—without burdening small businesses or public employers.
Action: Contact your Senator on the Ways and Means to ensure it passes out of Committee to be brought to a vote.
To see Ways and Means Committee membership, tap/click HERE, then tap/click “Members and Staff” navigation link near top of page. Committee leadership have direct message links on Members and Staff page.
If your Senator is on the committee, you can message them using the email format: [email protected]
Suggested Script:
I strongly support SB6173. Please ensure this bill passes out of the Ways & Means committee.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
EXPAND the script, making any of these talking points in your own words where possible:
Why This Bill Is Important
- Fair-share funding from large employers: SB 6173 ensures that large private employers whose workers depend on Medicaid help pay the real cost of that coverage, instead of shifting those costs entirely onto taxpayers and safety‑net programs.
- Stable, dedicated support for affordability: By directing all assessment revenue into the State Health Care Affordability Account, the bill creates a predictable funding stream for premium and cost‑sharing assistance and other programs that help low‑income residents access care.
- Protects small businesses and public entities: The bill explicitly exempts employers with fewer than 100 employees as well as federal, state, and local governments, focusing the responsibility on larger private employers better able to absorb the cost.
- Aligns payments with actual Medicaid costs: Tying the assessment to the Medicaid fair share capitation rate, including behavioral health, links employer contributions to up‑to‑date, actuarially certified costs, supporting the long‑term sustainability of Apple Health.
SSB5331 Strengthening consumer protection through increased insurer accountability for violations of the insurance code.
Bill status: Referred to House Consumer Protection and Business on Jan 26. We would like the Committee to schedule a public hearing.
What it does: Authorizes the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to order the payment of restitution in enforcement actions. Authorizes the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to levy fines against authorized insurers of up to $10,000 per violation, rather than $10,000 total.
Why it matters: SSB 5331 empowers our Insurance Commissioner to get your money back when insurance companies break the law. ---just direct restitution with 8% interest. Support this bill to protect Washington consumers from insurance company abuses and ensure wrongdoers pay you back, not just the state.
Action: Lobby your Representative(s) on the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee to request a public hearing.
To see Consumer Protection and Business Committee membership, tap/click HERE, then tap/click “Members and Staff” navigation link near top of page. Committee leadership have direct message links on Members and Staff page.
If your Senator is on the committee, you can message them using the email format: [email protected]
Suggested Script:
I strongly support SSB5331. Please ensure this receives a public hearing with the Consumer Protection and Business Committee
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
EXPAND the script, making any of these talking points in your own words where possible. Include any personal experiences with insurance company misconduct.
Why This Bill Is Important
- Fines are paid directly to consumers, not the state general fund. In 2024 alone, $1.86 million in fines went to the state while affected policyholders received nothing. This bill ensures consumers get their money back without having to go to court to recover funds.
-
Enhances Addresses Health Insurer Accountability: The bill creates stronger financial incentives for insurance companies to comply with the law.
- $10K per violation- matches the scale of misconduct
- 30-day repayment deadline with 8% interest
- Protects Vulnerable Populations: Healthcare consumers—especially those with long-term care insurance, chronic conditions, or fixed incomes—are particularly susceptible to insurance company misconduct. Examples include: Improper claim denials, delayed claim processing, balance billing violations, overcharged premiums, and agent fraud where premiums are collected but coverage is never provided, or improper termination of coverage.
Thank you for taking action to get Everybody In, Nobody Out!
