WA People
BILL · 2021–22 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 1616

HB 1616: Charity care

Concerning the charity care act.

Summary

  • Establishes two categories of hospitals for the purposes of charity care requirements and increases the existing income threshold for patients to receive charity care for the full amount of their charges, as well as the threshold to receive a discount on their charges.
  • Allows hospitals to reduce the amount of a discount provided to a charity care patient based on the person's assets.
  • Requires hospital charity care policies to include procedures for identifying patients who may be eligible for health care coverage through public medical assistance programs or the Washington Health Benefit Exchange and assisting them in applying for available coverage.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 1616), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 197, Laws of 2022
  1. IntroducedJan 10, 2022
  2. Out of committeeJan 21, 2022
  3. Passed HouseFeb 2, 2022
  4. Passed SenateMar 4, 2022
  5. GovernorMar 30, 2022
  6. LawMar 30, 2022
Prime sponsor
Tarra Simmons (D-23)
Introduced
January 10, 2022 in the House
Last action
March 30, 2022
Session law
Chapter 197, Laws of 2022
Requested by
State agency
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1616, SHB 1616

AN ACT Relating to the charity care act;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Tarra Simmons (D-23)

8 co-sponsors (8 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Eileen Cody D-34Jessica Bateman D-22Javier Valdez D-46Lauren Davis D-32Nicole Macri D-43Vandana Slatter D-48Gerry Pollet D-46Jamila Taylor D-30

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 2, 2022
Version voted on: SHB 1616
63 Yea 33 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57000
Republican63302
How each member voted

Yea (63)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 4, 2022
Version voted on: SHB 1616
31 Yea 17 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28001
Republican31700
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 7, 2022
Version voted on: SHB 1616
65 Yea 33 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57000
Republican83300
How each member voted

Yea (65)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/9/2022. (SHB 1616)
  2. Chapter 197, 2022 Laws. (SHB 1616)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 1616)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 1616)
  5. President signed. (SHB 1616)
  6. Speaker signed. (SHB 1616)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 65; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SHB 1616)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (SHB 1616)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SHB 1616)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1616)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (SHB 1616)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 1616)
  13. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 1616)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1616)
  15. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Health & Long Term Care. (SHB 1616)
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 1616)
  17. Referred to Ways & Means. (SHB 1616)
  18. And refer to Ways & Means. (SHB 1616)
  19. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1616)
  20. HLTC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SHB 1616)
  21. First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care. (SHB 1616)
  22. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SHB 1616)
  23. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1616)
  24. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 1616)
  25. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  26. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 1616)
  27. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  28. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 1616)
  29. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  30. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1616)
  31. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1616)
  32. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.
  33. Minority; do not pass.
  34. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  35. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.
  36. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 1616 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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