Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The legislative session is moving fast. Short sessions always do. It reminds me of those stretches on the farm when the weather window is tight and there’s more work than daylight. You start the morning walking the rows, checking on things, and before you know it you’re running hard just to keep up.
Today is Policy Committee Cutoff — the last day to read in committee reports from the other chamber, except for the House fiscal committees and the Senate Ways and Means and Transportation committees.
That’s how this stretch of session works. Some proposals gather momentum and keep rolling, while others stall out along the way.
Town Hall conversations in Oak Harbor
 10th District Town Hall in Oak Harbor, Feb. 2026 — Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, and Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, answer questions from residents.
Thank you to everyone who attended our town hall on Saturday, Feb. 21, in Oak Harbor. I appreciate you taking time out of your weekend to come out and be part of the conversation. It means a great deal when residents show up, ask questions, and stay engaged.
Town halls are one of my favorite parts of this job. There’s no substitute for sitting down face to face, answering questions directly, and listening to what’s on your mind. I’m also grateful to Oak Harbor Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon, who served as our moderator and helped guide the discussion so we could cover as much ground as possible.
We began with a brief update on what’s happening in Olympia and then opened the floor for questions. The discussion covered a wide range of issues. Residents asked about ferry reliability and when we can expect more boats back on the water. There were questions about federal immigration enforcement activity and what protections are in place for Washington residents. We also discussed Senate Bill 6346 and concerns surrounding the proposed income tax.
Comment cards brought forward additional topics, including tourism on Whidbey and what it means for local businesses; House Bill 2334 and the proposal to round cash transactions if pennies are phased out; mail-in voting; and funding for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) and broader K–12 education.
It was a thoughtful and respectful exchange. These conversations matter. The decisions made in Olympia affect families, schools, and small businesses right here in our district, and hearing directly from you helps keep that perspective front and center.
If you weren’t able to attend but have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to my office. I’m always glad to hear from you.
Continuing the health care conversation
Three bills we worked on this session have cleared the Senate with strong bipartisan support and are now over in the House for consideration. As ranking member of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, protecting access to care, especially in rural communities, is a top priority for me. These measures are aimed at supporting rural hospitals and are part of my broader efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursements and strengthen our health care system.
First is Senate Bill 5923. I introduced this bill to help address a critical financial situation at Island Health. There has been a moratorium that limits additional hospitals from receiving Critical Access Hospital payments. My bill would make Island Health eligible to receive payments based on allowable costs rather than a fixed fee schedule.
That may sound technical, but it matters. Critical Access Hospital status means Medicaid and Medicare payments are based on what it actually costs to provide care. For a rural hospital with a high percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients, that difference in reimbursement can determine whether services stay in place or are reduced. In plain terms, the bill would help put Island Health on more stable financial footing and help ensure care remains close to home for the people who depend on it.
Second is Senate Bill 6103, geared specifically toward East Adams Hospital but possibly useful for other hospitals in similar situations. In recent years, the federal government created a new designation called a Rural Emergency Hospital. It’s designed for small rural hospitals that may no longer be able to sustain full inpatient services but still want to keep emergency care available in their community.
My bill would ensure that if a hospital in Washington is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a Rural Emergency Hospital, Medicaid payments for those services could continue, subject to appropriation. In other words, if a hospital shifts to this model to remain viable, state law would allow payments to follow.
It’s about flexibility. Rural hospitals are under real financial pressure. This bill would give rural hospitals another tool to keep emergency services available close to home rather than shutting their doors altogether.
The third is Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King and passed unanimously in the Senate. I worked closely with Sen. King on this bill because it addresses the same underlying issue: fair Medicaid reimbursement for rural hospitals. This bill would allow any rural hospital located on a federally recognized Indian reservation to be paid at 150 percent of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate for inpatient and outpatient services beginning in 2027.
All three bills passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. Protecting access to rural health care shouldn’t be a partisan fight. It’s about making sure when someone in our community needs care, they can get it close to home instead of driving hours down the road.
Our hospitals aren’t failing their communities. In many cases, they’re being squeezed by reimbursement formulas that don’t match reality. These bills are about giving them a fair chance — not special treatment, just a fair chance — to keep their doors open and continue serving the people who rely on them.
Let’s keep the conversation going
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this and stay engaged in what’s happening in Olympia. I know everyone is busy. I hope you’ll stay in touch. You can visit my website to follow the bills we’re working on, watch floor speeches, and read my latest updates from the Capitol. And as always, if there’s an issue on your mind, my door is open.
It’s truly an honor to serve the 10th Legislative District. I’ll keep working to make sure the voices of individuals, families, and rural communities are heard in Olympia.
Yours in service,
Senator Ron Muzzall
10th Legislative District
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Contact me
Olympia Office:
310 Irv Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40410, Olympia, WA 98504
Olympia Phone:
360.786.7618
Email:
Ron.Muzzall@leg.wa.gov
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