H-1082.2
HOUSE BILL 1812
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Rule, Caldier, Berg, Berry, Street, Shavers, Parshley, Steele, Eslick, Pollet, and Hill
Read first time 02/04/25. Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.
AN ACT Relating to patient-centered equitable access to anesthesia services and reimbursement; reenacting and amending RCW 41.05.017 ; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that anesthesia providers give individualized care to every patient, carefully assessing the patient's health prior to the surgery, looking at existing diseases and medical conditions to determine the resources and medical expertise needed, attending to the patient during the entire procedure, resolving unexpected complications that may arise and/or extend the duration of the surgery, and working to ensure that the patient is comfortable during recovery.
The legislature intends for this act to safeguard patient safety, uphold patient-centered care, and promote transparency and safety in anesthesia reimbursement practices by ensuring fair and ethical access to medically necessary anesthesia services. This act is critical to protecting patient safety and preventing the disturbing trend of commercial health insurers imposing time caps or physical status caps for anesthesia during surgery, leading to dangerous practices that could jeopardize lives. This year, insurers have targeted some of the most vulnerable patients receiving anesthesia care including those under the age of one, those over the age of 70, those in emergency conditions, and those with severe systemic diseases or illnesses.