Capitol Outlook 2026

PSARA is celebrating a major advocacy win with the passage of SJM (Senate Joint Memorial) 8002. SJM 8002 sends a strong message to our federal leaders to level the playing field between Original Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans. The measure passed the Senate with a unanimous vote, and the House followed with a strong 64–32 vote, including support from several Republicans.

After being signed by the House Speaker and the President of the Senate, the memorial was sent to the Office of the Secretary of State. From there, it was officially transmitted to the President, Members of Congress, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services—delivering our state’s message directly to Washington, DC.

And that message is simple: Medicare beneficiaries deserve a real choice in their healthcare.

PSARA led the advocacy effort behind this measure, working with Senator Bob Hasegawa and state legislators to highlight the need to level the playing field between traditional Medicare and private, for-profit Medicare Advantage plans. We can do this by recouping the billions lost to overpayments, fraud, and abuse in Medicare Advantage and returning those funds to the Medicare Trust Fund.

What SJM 8002 Calls For

The Legislature is urging the federal government to level the playing field between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, so seniors and people with disabilities aren’t penalized for choosing traditional Medicare.

Specifically, the memorial calls on the federal government to:

• End the 20 percent copay in Original Medicare and create a reasonable out-of-pocket cap on medical costs.

• Add dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Original Medicare—benefits already allowed in Medicare Advantage plans.

• Rein in excessive administrative costs and profits in Medicare Advantage.

• Recover billions lost to overpayments, fraud, and abuse in Medicare Advantage and return those funds to the Medicare Trust Fund to strengthen and improve Original Medicare.

SJM 8002 gives PSARA another strong tool as we continue working with our Congressional delegation and organizing in our communities. We urge Congress to take up Level the Playing Field legislation and give Medicare Beneficiaries a real choice.

A Few Last Words on the 2026 Legislative Session

High drama marked the final days of the 2026 legislative session. Sine die on Thursday, March 12, ended a momentous session with the passage of a Millionaires Tax. PSARA has advocated for years for the introduction of an income tax to help right-size our regressive tax system. After the 24-plus hour debate, the House passed its version and sent it back to the Senate for final passage. The Governor seems comfortable with the bill as passed and will sign it. Kudos to all of you who have lobbied long and hard for this vast improvement to our tax code.

The Millionaires Tax creates a 9.9 per-cent tax on household income above $1 million a year, impacting only the wealthiest households in our state—roughly 21,000 filers. It won’t take effect until January 1, 2028, with payments beginning in 2029, and the threshold will adjust with inflation.

This tax will generate an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion each year to invest in the things Washington families actually need: schools, childcare, healthcare, and stronger communities. Before that can happen, there will be litigation and a likely initiative, either this year or next, to repeal it. PSARA will be joining allies to defend the tax over the coming months.

The Legislature released its final Operating Budget on 3/11. Overall, the final budget spends $80.2 billion in general funds. Check out the PSARA website for a final tally of our legislative wins and losses.

Much work lies ahead. Please join us for a virtual session wrap-up and look ahead on May 27 at 1 p.m.