HB 1263 & SB 5241: The Keep Our Care Act 

This bill would create a system of public oversight to ensure that when hospitals merge, access to vital services for rural and low-income communities, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and terminally-ill patients remain intact. Unlike states such as California and Oregon, these mergers in Washington receive minimal oversight. Washington needs a comprehensive system of public oversight to safeguard access to existing services and ensure Washingtonians can access quality care where they live, regardless of their identity, zip code, or medical needs.

  • Checks the power and influence of large hospital systems through increased oversight.

  • Prevents systems from reducing access to reproductive health care and other services.

  • Prevents patients from losing access to services due to hospital mergers/acquisitions.

Sponsors
Sen. Stanford (1st LD), Rep. Simmons (23rd LD), Sen. Rolfes (23rd LD), Rep. Stonier (49th LD), Sen. Hunt (22nd LD), Sen. Randall (26th LD), Sen. Trudeau (27th LD), Sen. C. Wilson (30th LD), Sen. Nguyen (34th LD), Sen. Frame (36th LD), Sen. Saldaña (37th LD), Sen. Robinson (38th LD), Sen. Shewmake (42nd LD), Sen. Pederson (43rd LD), Sen. Lovick (44th LD), Sen. Valdez (46th LD), Sen. Kauffman (47th LD), Sen. Kuderer (48th LD), Rep. Pollet (46th LD), Rep. Macri (43rd LD), Sen. Liias (21st LD), Sen. Lovelett (40th LD).

Background
Health entity mergers have negatively impacted cost, quality, and access to necessary health care services, in turn exacerbating inequities for rural and low-income communities, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and terminally-ill patients. This bill was first introduced several sessions ago. In 2023, it did not make it out of the Senate Committee on Rules. This session it will start in the Senate Committee on Rules where it will be considered again.


FAQs
Will this bill decrease access to care because regulations on hospitals will cause them to shut down? Hospitals are shutting down because their business model puts profits over patient care. This bill does not prevent the ability of hospitals to merge, but guarantees that it will not result in the loss of quality or access to care. 


Don’t mergers lead to greater efficiency for patients? In Washington State the lack of oversight has resulted in reduced access to services in many instances. Recent hospital mergers in Washington, like the 2016 CHI Franciscan mergers in Kitsap County, led to higher prices and reduced patient access to a range of care.


If you have questions or would like to learn more?
Contact WashingtonCAN’s Political Director

Waldo E. Waldron-Ramsey