Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026
Outside the box.
Washington State House Approves Bill to Protect No-Cost Preventive Health Services
Legislation would ensure residents retain access to preventive care without cost-sharing by tying coverage to state and established federal recommendations
Washington lawmakers in the state House of Representatives have advanced a legislative effort designed to preserve access to preventive health services at no cost to the patient, marking a significant step in state health policy.
On February 11, the House passed House Bill 2242 by a vote of 57 to 39. The measure, requested by Governor Bob Ferguson and the state’s Insurance Commissioner, Patty Kuderer, would maintain coverage for no-cost preventive services for residents who choose to use them, continuing protections in place since 2010. Under current law, coverage is linked to recommendations from federal bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the U.S. Preventive Health Services Task Force and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The bill would transition vaccine coverage guidelines to be based on recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health, while other preventive services would continue to follow established federal guidance, effective June 30, 2025.
Supporters of the legislation argue that no-cost preventive services — which include well-child visits, cancer screenings, immunizations and chronic disease management — are essential to early detection and the long-term health of families.
Representatives backing the bill said the change would ensure that Washington residents can continue to access these services even as federal standards evolve, strengthening state authority to set preventive care benchmarks that reflect local public health priorities.
Critics of the bill raised concerns about potential administrative costs and the implications of shifting vaccine guidance to the state level.
However, proponents emphasise that the legislation does not mandate individuals to obtain preventive services but preserves the option of accessing them without cost-sharing, reinforcing preventive care as part of broader efforts to sustain public health and manage long-term health expenditures.
A companion measure, Senate Bill 5967, now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
On February 11, the House passed House Bill 2242 by a vote of 57 to 39. The measure, requested by Governor Bob Ferguson and the state’s Insurance Commissioner, Patty Kuderer, would maintain coverage for no-cost preventive services for residents who choose to use them, continuing protections in place since 2010. Under current law, coverage is linked to recommendations from federal bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the U.S. Preventive Health Services Task Force and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The bill would transition vaccine coverage guidelines to be based on recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health, while other preventive services would continue to follow established federal guidance, effective June 30, 2025.
Supporters of the legislation argue that no-cost preventive services — which include well-child visits, cancer screenings, immunizations and chronic disease management — are essential to early detection and the long-term health of families.
Representatives backing the bill said the change would ensure that Washington residents can continue to access these services even as federal standards evolve, strengthening state authority to set preventive care benchmarks that reflect local public health priorities.
Critics of the bill raised concerns about potential administrative costs and the implications of shifting vaccine guidance to the state level.
However, proponents emphasise that the legislation does not mandate individuals to obtain preventive services but preserves the option of accessing them without cost-sharing, reinforcing preventive care as part of broader efforts to sustain public health and manage long-term health expenditures.
A companion measure, Senate Bill 5967, now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
