A priority bill to which Chairman of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee Dan Bronoske (D-Lakewood) heads to the governor's desk when HB 1686 passed the Senate today. HB 1686 lays the foundation for creating the Washington Healthcare Entity Registry, a comprehensive database that tracks vertical and horizontal integration and ownership changes in the healthcare industry.
“From day one, I said I was focused on improving transparency and reducing costs,” Rep. Bronosuke said. “This law is the foundation of these goals.”
The bill requires that plans be developed to make the registration of Washington Healthcare Entities a reality in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Healthcare (HCA), the Insurance Commission (OIC), the Office of Finance Management (OFM), the Governor's Office and other stakeholders.
The plan requires the identification of healthcare institutions, including licensed and unauthorized healthcare facilities, providers, provider groups, systems, health carriers, and medical benefits managers. What is also mandatory in the plan is to develop a list of what each entity must report on, as well as a fee charged by the report.
While developing the plan, DOH should consider ways to mitigate reporting and information sharing between state agencies. Additionally, DOH should consider strategies to maximize monitoring of change in ownership, management, contractual relationships, or affiliation between other business entities such as healthcare entities and private equity.
DOH must provide an update on the progress of Congress to the relevant Health and Finance Committees by December 31, 2027, and a final report by November 1, 2028.
“This is a major first step in developing a statewide health resource strategy, including an inventory of existing health care facilities and services in each geographical region, says Bronosuke.
