Legislative Update and Action Items

Thank you to everyone who asked their representatives to support HB 1589. It passed out of the House over the weekend. WMHCA has a few more urgent call to action items.

HB 1432 Needs a Rules pull.  Here is the list of the Rules Committee. Please email your legislators and ask them for a Rules pull.  There is sample language below.  (Make it your own) This is the top priority as there will only be one more rules pull. 

HB 1155 Needs to be added to the calendar floor:  Email Speaker Jinkins and Representative Fitzgibbon

• This bill prohibits non-compete agreements.  It will allow clients to choose their providers and clinicians won't be at risk if clients choose to follow them when they move employers.
  

SSB 5112 Email your Senators and ask for a yes vote.  

• This bill will expand the workforce by allowing psychologists to prescribe with the additional education and training. 
  

We will send another call to action out on Wednesday to address a few more issues!  The ones above are currently the most urgent.

Find Your District:

1. Use the district finder https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder to find your Representatives and Senators.
2. Click on your Legislator's name
3. Click on the yellow email box.
4. Fill out step 1 and step 2 (this will flag you as a constituent, and constituent emails are prioritized over all others.)
5. Step 3-Let them know what bill you are writing about.
6. Click SUPPORT
7. Subject is "Please support ________"
8. Add your message-please include a personal story and make the words your own.
   

Sample Email Language:

Dear Representative (use last name from email addresses above),

My name is __________ and I am a (professional credentials). I’m writing to respectfully request a Rules pull for House Bill 1432, which improves access for mental health care.

This bill will introduce new rules for health insurance regarding mental health and substance use treatment. It will clarify what counts as mental health care and require insurance companies to use standard medical practices when deciding on coverage requests. It will also ensure that mental health and substance use benefits are as good as other medical benefits. This will ensure that providers, not insurance carriers, dictate the type of treatment and its necessary length. 

(Insert personal story here, if applicable) 

Thank you for your consideration,

Name/Credentials