Increasing access and resources for behavioral health emergency services providers by imposing a covered lives assessment on specific health plans.

 H-3486.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2720

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2026 Regular Session

By House Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Macri, Gregerson, and Scott)

READ FIRST TIME 02/09/26.

AN ACT Relating to increasing access and resources for behavioral health emergency services providers by imposing a covered lives assessment on specific health plans; amending RCW 48.49.135 ; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092 , 43.84.092 , 43.84.092 , 43.84.092 , 43.84.092 , and 43.84.092 ; adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 48 RCW; creating new sections; providing effective dates; providing a contingent effective date; providing expiration dates; and providing contingent expiration dates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Behavioral health crisis services are cost-effective and reduce burdens on other emergency systems. According to the all payer claims database from 2022 through 2024, aggregate health plan claims payments for hospital emergency department visits where patients have primary mental health diagnoses cost far more than behavioral health crisis services;