2025 Legislative Session Begins January 13th.
More Bill details will be updated as we get closer!

Bill #: TBD - Mergers & Acquisitions 

Previously SB5241/HB1263

This bill would grant the Attorney General oversight of hospital and hospital system mergers and acquisitions. The goal is to protect patients from losing access to essential services, such as reproductive, end-of-life, and gender-affirming care, and to prevent significant cost increases due to mergers. Washington CAN is working alongside the Washington State Nurses Association to advocate for this legislation, which ensures that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for all communities.

  • 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
Rep. Taylor (30th LD)

Background
Health entity mergers have negatively impacted cost, quality, and access to necessary healthcare 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 2024, a version of the bill nearly made it past the finish line in the second chamber but will restart in 2025 where it’s seen as a healthcare priority bill.


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