Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session

Washington Senate Bill SB6139

Introduced
1/10/24  

Caption

Changing the health insurance subsidy rate for retired state employees and retired or disabled school employees.

Impact

If enacted, SB6139 is expected to significantly impact state laws governing health insurance subsidies. The bill's adjustments to the subsidy could lead to changing eligibility criteria or funding levels, thus affecting the affordability of health care for retired personnel. This may necessitate alterations within the state budget allocations to accommodate increased funding for these subsidies, leading to potential discussions around fiscal responsibility and prioritization of state funds.

Summary

Bill SB6139 proposes changes to the health insurance subsidy rate for retired state employees and retired or disabled school employees. The bill aims to adjust the financial support provided to these individuals as a way to ensure that they have access to affordable health care. While the specific details of the subsidy rate adjustments were not provided in the core documents, the bill is rooted in the objective of enhancing the financial security of retirees who may have limited income.

Contention

While the bill appears to aim at providing necessary support for retired and disabled employees, there may be notable points of contention regarding the fiscal implications of increasing subsidies. Stakeholders could argue about the sustainability of such funding and whether it should come at the expense of other state services or programs. Discussions may also arise on whether the proposed changes fairly represent the needs of all retired employees or if certain groups will be disproportionately favored or disadvantaged by the subsidy adjustments.

Companion Bills

WA HB2188

Crossfiled Changing the health insurance subsidy rate for retired state employees and retired or disabled school employees.

Previously Filed As

WA HB2188

Changing the health insurance subsidy rate for retired state employees and retired or disabled school employees.

WA SB6094

Aligning statutory language concerning the retired state employee and retired or disabled school employee health insurance subsidy with the historical interpretation and implementation of the relevant subsidy language in the operating budget.

WA LB103

Change provisions of the County Employees Retirement Act, the Judges Retirement Act, the Nebraska State Patrol Retirement Act, the School Employees Retirement Act, and the State Employees Retirement Act

WA LB104

Change provisions of the County Employees Retirement Act, the Judges Retirement Act, the School Employees Retirement Act, the Nebraska State Patrol Retirement Act, and the State Employees Retirement Act

WA LB295

Change provisions relating to the County Employees Retirement Act, the Judges Retirement Act, the Nebraska State Patrol Retirement Act, the School Employees Retirement Act, the State Employees Retirement Act, the Spousal Pension Rights Act, and the Public Employees Retirement Board

WA LB689

Redefine terms under the School Employees Retirement Act and the Class V School Employees Retirement Act

WA SB5738

Revised for 1st Substitute: Permitting individuals retired from the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public safety employees' retirement system additional opportunities to work for up to 1,040 hours per year while in receipt of pension benefits.

WA SB5113

Concerning cost-of-living adjustments for plan 1 retirees of the teachers' retirement system and public employees' retirement system.

WA HB1292

Concerning cost-of-living adjustments for plan 1 retirees of the teachers' retirement system and public employees' retirement system.

WA HB1057

Providing a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and the teachers' retirement system plan 1.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.