USofCare Statement on Washington’s Efforts to Strengthen Oversight of Hospital Mergers & Acquisitions

With more than 2-in-3 Washingtonians facing health care affordability barriers, this bill would give people more transparency and oversight over who owns hospitals and health systems

Olympia, WA — Yesterday, the Washington Legislature passed HB 2548, a bill that would expand the Attorney General’s oversight of health system mergers and acquisitions to include previously excluded corporate actors, like private equity firms and commercial health insurers. In response, United States of Care issued the following statement: 

“Sixty-eight percent of Washingtonians reported experiencing at least one health care affordability burden in the last year. Many of these barriers to affordable care are a symptom of hospital consolidation, which we know increases costs for people,” said Kelsey Wulfkuhle, Senior State Advocacy Manager at United States of Care. “Washingtonians deserve to know who owns the hospitals and health systems they rely on. We know that people just want health care they can pay for, and legislation like this will help to restore trust in our health care system. We applaud the Washington Legislature for passing this bill, and look forward to Governor Ferguson signing this legislation into law.”

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