HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5498
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to contraceptive coverage.
Brief Description: Concerning contraceptive coverage.
Sponsors: Senators Alvarado, Slatter, Bateman, Cleveland, Frame, Liias, Lovelett, Nobles, Pedersen, Saldaña, Salomon, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 3/18/25, 3/25/25 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Applies the requirement that health plans reimburse for a 12-month supply of contraceptives to all prescriptions, instead of only refills.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 18 members:Representatives Bronoske, Chair; Lekanoff, Vice Chair; Rule, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Marshall, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Davis, Low, Macri, Manjarrez, Obras, Parshley, Shavers, Simmons, Stonier, Stuebe, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:

Health plans are required to cover contraceptive drugs without cost sharing.  A health plan must provide reimbursement for a 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs obtained at one time by the enrollee, unless the enrollee requests a smaller supply or the prescriber instructs the enrollee to receive a smaller supply.  The health plan must allow the enrollee to receive the contraceptive drugs on-site at the provider's office, if available.  The 12-month supply requirement applies only to refills of contraceptive drugs, not the original prescription.
Summary of Bill:

The 12-month supply requirement is applied to all prescriptions of contraceptive drugs, not just refills.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Individuals should have the ability to determine the duration of their prescriptions with their provider without unnecessary barriers.  This bill is important to individuals such as domestic violence survivors and students. 

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Nicole Kern, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.