Legislature adopts Governor Ferguson, Commissioner Kuderer bill to strengthen Washington state’s decision-making authority regarding vaccines

OLYMPIA - Governor Bob Ferguson and Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer's proposal to shift decision-making authority on vaccines and other critical preventive health care services away from the federal government passed the Legislature today in a bipartisan 36-12 vote. The bill allows the state Department of Health (DOH) to propose vaccine recommendations based on medical and scientific expertise and evidence.

House Bill 2242, sponsored by Rep. Dan Bronoske (D - Lakewood), is now on its way to Governor Ferguson's desk for his signature. It previously passed the House 57-39. The bill, requested in partnership with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), is one of six Governor Request Bills. Sen. Annette Cleveland (D - Vancouver) sponsored the companion bill.

"Donald Trump's CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science," Governor Ferguson said. "We must protect Washingtonians' health from the chaos of the federal government."

"These are important services for people who choose to use them," Commissioner Kuderer said. "This bill ensures that the recommendations will continue to come from trained medical experts, rather than political appointees with no background in medicine or science."

"Guaranteeing access to preventive services for health conditions diagnosed and treated early is key to maintaining quality of life and lowering overall costs," Rep. Bronoske said. "These preventive health services include well-child visits, cancer screenings, immunizations and chronic disease management."

"It is vitally important to take steps to safeguard our state's health care system and our public's trust in that system from federal changes," Sen. Cleveland said. "This bill ensures that individuals and families can be assured that health care guidance and recommendations in our state continue to be rooted in science and evidence-based practices."

The legislation delinks the Washington state statute for immunization coverage (RCW 48.43.047) from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), ensuring Washingtonians have access to vaccines that are grounded in science. DOH will engage with professional medical organizations, local health organizations, the West Coast Health Alliance and others to determine recommendations going forward.

The law also preserves Washingtonians' access to preventive services, including immunizations, without cost-sharing for residents enrolled in commercial health plans who choose to utilize these services.

In 2010, when the Affordable Care Act was passed, it required coverage of preventive services as recommended by the United States Preventive Health Services Task Force, Health Resources and Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In 2018, Washington state codified this requirement in RCW 48.43.047, which was updated in 2024. The intent was to ensure access to preventive services with no cost-sharing for Washingtonians covered by commercial health plans regulated by OIC.

This legislation will preserve health plan coverage for DOH-recommended vaccines and freeze coverage for federal preventive services recommendations.

This law does not establish new vaccine mandates, change any laws related to consent for immunizations or mandate the use of any preventive service.