OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new legislative initiative in Washington State seeks to enhance maternal health and preventative cancer screenings for Medicaid clients.
If passed, SB 5642, sponsored by Pasco Senator Nikki Torres, would ensure Medicaid clients receive timely and appropriate care, with oversight on managed care organizations (MCO) to maintain accountability and performance.
“The most recent Apple Health report card republished last year noted that all but the MCO was performing either average or below average on the key performance metrics and keeping women and mothers healthy,” Senator Torres testified February 18 in Olympia. “Specifically, we were underperforming in two areas. Women getting important health screenings, such as cervical and breast cancer screens and new and expecting mothers getting the timely care they need.”
Under Torres’ bill, the Washington Health Care Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Health and other organizations, would develop educational materials to promote better health outcomes in areas such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal, and postpartum care.
The initiative also includes a plan to incentivize Medicaid managed care organizations to improve performance metrics.
A public hearing on the bill was held by the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care. The committee will decide how the bill should move forward at a later time.
