Several state agencies have roles in health and health care. This general guidance is designed to help reporters know where to start when they have health-related questions.
Department of Health
- State health statistics
- Public health emergencies
- Health care provider licensing and registration, facility regulation
- Flu and other infectious diseases
- Statewide disease prevention, surveillance, and response systems
- The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program
Department of Social and Health Services
- State hospitals (Western, Eastern, Child Study and Treatment Center)
- Trueblood lawsuit settlement
- Aging and long-term care; oversight of nursing homes, adult family homes and assisted living facilities
- Developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals who require care in institutional and community settings.
- Special Commitment Center
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which in Washington is called Basic Food
Health Care Authority
- Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)
- Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program
- School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program
- Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act
- Mental health and substance use disorder support services
- Public employee wellness program
Health Benefit Exchange
- Our state's health benefit exchange (Washington Healthplanfinder)
- The individual market component of the Affordable Care Act
- ACA tax credits
- Healthplanfinder qualified health plan and dental care coverage options
- Cascade Care (public option)
- Overall customer experience of finding health care coverage
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
- Insurance consumer protection
- Insurance laws and regulations
- Approving insurance plans and rates