SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5498
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health & Long-Term Care, February 21, 2025
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 & Long-Term Care: 2/18/25, 2/21/25 [DP, DNP].
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.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Orwall, Vice Chair; Muzzall, Ranking Member; Bateman, Chapman, Harris, Holy, Riccelli, Robinson and Slatter.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Christian.
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
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.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: Access to birth control lowers the risk of unintended pregnancy. The bill does not require a patient to accept a 12-month supply or require a provider to prescribe a 12-month supply, but it provides the option. 
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Emily Alvarado, Prime Sponsor; Nicole Kern, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.