WashingtonWashington allows its abortion medication program to supply medicines without payment
Washington's state abortion medication program may supply medicines without payment and must give priority to bulk distribution to health care providers and facilities.
What it does
Washington's state program may supply abortion medications without payment, but free supplies are not guaranteed. Providers receiving medicines must use them only for reproductive health care.
State officials must work with the Department of Health to choose recipients and prioritize bulk supplies for health care providers and facilities, including Indian health care providers.
Argument forWhen the program waives payment, patients and health care providers could receive medicines without having to pay the program.
Argument againstChoosing to supply medicines without payment could reduce the money the state program collects to cover its expenses.
More detail
The state program may supply abortion medications without collecting payment. The program may serve anyone, including people outside the administering agency's custody or supervision. The program may still charge for medicines; free supplies are not guaranteed. Health care providers and facilities receiving medicines through sales, deliveries, or distribution must use them only for reproductive health care. The law took effect on March 14, 2026.
State officials running the program must prioritize bulk distribution to health care providers and facilities. Covered recipients include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and Indian health care providers. Officials must work with the Department of Health to identify appropriate recipients. Recipients must use the medicines only for reproductive health care, including abortion care or treatment of early pregnancy loss.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 14Effective date 3/14/2026.Latest
- Mar 14Chapter 52, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 14Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 9Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 4Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 3President signed.Passed Senate
- Feb 28Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#8). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 28Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 25Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 23Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 20Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 20HCW - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 12First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.Minor
- Feb 10Third reading, passed; yeas, 32; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#7). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 101st substitute bill substituted (HS 26).Major
- Feb 4Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 28Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 27Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 27HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 27Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 21Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Human Services.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 18Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
HealthcareReproductive Rights