WA SB5959

Limits hospital charity care eligibility to Washington state residents, reversing a 2022 Department of Health policy change that required hospitals to remove geographic restrictions from their charity care policies

Defines "resident" as someone currently living in Washington who intends to reside indefinitely, entered seeking employment, or has a job commitment—no minimum residency period required

Preserves charity care eligibility for non-residents receiving emergency care under federal EMTALA law (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395dd)

Excludes persons who enter Washington specifically for health care from charity care eligibility, while prohibiting consideration of immigration status in residency determinations

Declared an emergency measure taking effect immediately, citing concerns that removing residency restrictions could create "medical tourism" and strain hospital capacity (Washington ranks 5th-fewest hospital beds per capita nationally)