The Washington State Legislature has approved legislation requested by Governor Bob Ferguson and Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer that shifts vaccine recommendation authority from the federal government to the state. The measure passed the Senate in a bipartisan 36 to 12 vote after previously clearing the House 57 to 39.
House Bill 2242, sponsored by Rep. Dan Bronoske, now heads to Governor Ferguson for signature. Sen. Annette Cleveland sponsored the companion legislation. The proposal is one of six Governor Request Bills introduced this session in partnership with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
The legislation allows the Washington State Department of Health to propose vaccine recommendations based on medical and scientific expertise and evidence, rather than relying on federal advisory bodies.
“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.”
Commissioner Kuderer said the bill ensures medical decisions remain in the hands of qualified professionals.
“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.”
Under the new law, Washington’s immunization coverage statute, RCW 48.43.047, will no longer be tied to recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Instead, the Department of Health will consult with professional medical organizations, local health groups and the West Coast Health Alliance to determine vaccine recommendations for the state.
Rep. Bronoske said maintaining access to preventive services is critical to long-term health and affordability.
“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.”
Sen. Cleveland said the measure protects both public health and trust in Washington’s health care system.
“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 law also preserves access to preventive services without cost-sharing for residents enrolled in commercial health plans regulated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner who choose to use those services.
When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, it required coverage of preventive services recommended by federal health advisory bodies. Washington codified that requirement into state law in 2018 and updated it in 2024 to ensure preventive services were covered without cost-sharing.
The new legislation preserves health plan coverage for vaccines recommended by the Department of Health and freezes coverage for federal preventive service recommendations.
The law does not create new vaccine mandates, change consent laws for immunizations or require anyone to use preventive services.
