Washington SB6210: Health plan certification

What the bill says

An act Relating to safeguarding access and affordability for exchange customers through the health plan certification process; amending RCW 43.71.020 and 43.71.065; adding new sections to chapter 43.71 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to safeguarding access and affordability for exchange customers through the health plan certification process; amending RCW 43.71.020 and 43.71.065; adding new sections to chapter 43.71 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds (b) Health insurance coverage is necessary for most people to access health care; (c) Uncertainty in the health insurance marketplace is significantly impacted by the volatility in the federal legislative and regulatory environment; (d) Rising health care costs are impacting access and affordability for Washington state residents; (e) An unstable and volatile individual insurance market would be catastrophic and lead (ii) Declining work force productivity; (iii) Lower quality of life; and (iv) Increased burdens on safety net providers from the rising demand for uncompensated care; (f) Each year, the Washington health benefit exchange board uses 19 basic criteria that were established in the affordable care act to review and certify health plans that will be offered to Washington state residents in the exchange market; (g) These 19 basic criteria do not address access and affordability issues in the exchange market; and (h) The affordable care act authorizes state exchanges to ensure that certified health plans are in the interest of the residents of the state by adopting additional health plan …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Vandana Slatter (D) · primary sponsor
• T'wina Nobles (D)
• Rebecca Saldaña (D)

Latest actions

1. March 12, 2026: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
2. March 5, 2026: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
3. March 2, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
4. March 2, 2026: Minority; do not pass.
5. March 2, 2026: APP - Majority; do pass with amendment
6. March 2, 2026: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
7. February 27, 2026: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
8. February 25, 2026: Referred to Appropriations.
9. February 25, 2026: Minority; do not pass.
10. February 25, 2026: HCW - Majority; do pass with amendment

Votes

• House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Health Care & Wellness (March 2, 2026): 18 yea, 11 nay, passed
• House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: Do pass as amended (February 25, 2026): 11 yea, 7 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6210 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 7 yea, 4 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB6210?

SB6210 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Health plan certification.

What does SB6210 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to safeguarding access and affordability for exchange customers through the health plan certification process; amending RCW 43.71.020 and 43.71.065; adding new sections to chapter 43.71 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of SB6210?

Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SB6210?

Vandana Slatter (D), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB6210?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6210&Year=2025