Changes in the law prevent insurers from denying lifesaving medical care
December 28, 2021
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A rule to solidify access to gender-affirming health care in Washington state takes effect Jan. 1, 2022. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler adopted the rule on Nov. 30, 2021, which sets into state law the Gender Affirming Treatment Act (SB 5313), passed by the Washington state Legislature in 2021.
The rule clarifies several aspects of the existing law to ensure medically necessary gender-affirming treatments are covered by health insurers. The wording in the rule previously allowed insurers to deny coverage in a way that subverted the intent of the law.
For example, insurers may not deny gender-affirming hormone treatments because they are prescribed at different levels than they are for cisgender patients whose gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth.
“While the clarifications in the rule seem technical, the implications for transgender and gender-diverse people is significant,” said Kreidler. “Advocates told us over and over again that gender-affirming treatment saves lives. As the insurance regulator, I take seriously my duty to make sure laws and rules around insurance coverage are as inclusive as we intend them to be and insurers aren’t able to issue blanket denials based on inadvertent loopholes in the law.”
Kreidler has a long history of protecting the rights of transgender and gender-diverse people to access health care, in line with state laws to protect them. He’s fined insurers millions of dollars for denying treatment and has issued technical assistance advisories to make it clear to insurers what they must cover.
If you've been unfairly denied coverage for medical services, you can file a complaint and we'll look into it for you, or you can file an appeal with your health insurance company.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has created short videos to explain the new law that gives agricultural workers the right to earn overtime starting Jan. 1.
The 30-second video is available in English and Spanish. Employers, farm labor contractors, agricultural industry and farmworker organizations, advocate groups, unions, and individuals are welcome to share the video.
There are two versions, a smaller format for use on social media (English and Spanish) and one for different methods of communication (English and Spanish). Audio descriptive versions are available by sending an email to Jeff Mayor.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5172 eliminates the agricultural worker exemption from the state’s Minimum Wage Act. That means agricultural workers will be able to earn overtime beginning in 2022.
The law includes a three-year phase-in schedule that incrementally reduces the number of hours worked by agricultural workers before they are entitled to overtime pay:
You can learn more about the new law at L&I’s agricultural overtime web page. The page includes fact sheets and infographics, available in English and Spanish.
L&I also offers free webinars in English and Spanish. On L&I's “Workshops and Training Center” web page, look for ‘Understanding the Changes in Agricultural Overtime Laws’ in the “Event Title” pulldown menu. In addition to the webinars, the program can do a similar presentation to individual groups. To request a presentation, send an email to the program’s Farm Labor Unit.
If you have questions, you can contact the Employment Standards Program by calling toll free 1-866-219-7321 or sending an email to the Farm Labor Unit.
Help make products you use safer from harmful chemicals
Did you know some every day consumer products contain toxic chemicals? The Safer Products for Washington program is doing something about that: protecting your health and Washington’s environment by making products you use safer. The program is considering potential regulations to restrict harmful chemicals in consumer products or require manufacturers to report when they use them. Your perspective can help—and is valued!
Check out this story map (an illustrated story with brief information) and then share your input through a short, 4-question survey (both in Spanish!). The Safer Products for Washington team will use your feedback to inform their work, and will share the survey results. Reach out to them at SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov if you have concerns, questions, or want to connect.
New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning Jan. 1
Law prohibits automatic distribution of single-use food service items by restaurants, cafeterias and other food service providers
Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Washington restaurants will no longer automatically include single-use food service items like utensils, condiments and straws with food orders. A new state law restricts the use of these items and prohibits packaged bundles of single-use items in order to reduce waste and litter – although customers can still request individual items if needed.
Visit ecology.wa.gov/serviceware for information, tools, resources, and detailed compliance requirements for Washington's single-use serviceware law.
Reminder: Minimum wage, overtime, and workers’ comp premium changes take effect next week
The minimum wage
The state’s minimum wage will increase to $14.49 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2022. It’s based on a 5.83 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics attributed the increase to more expensive gas, housing, household furnishings, and food.
The state minimum wage applies to workers age 16 and older. Under state law, employers may pay 85 percent of the minimum wage to workers ages 14-15. For 2022, the wage for that younger age group will be $12.32 per hour.
Cities are able to set minimum wages higher than the state’s. Both Seattle and SeaTac have higher wages.
The minimum salary an employee must earn to be considered overtime-exempt will rise on Jan. 1. This covers “white collar” positions held by executive, administrative, and professional workers. It also includes computer professionals and outside salespeople.
Among the requirements to be exempt from the state Minimum Wage Act, salaried employees must meet the job duties test and earn at least a minimum salary of $1,014.30 a week ($52,743.60 a year). That rate is 1.75 times the minimum wage.
Applications for the fifth round of Mercy Corps Northwest’s Micro-Business Assistance Program (MBA) will be opening on January 5th, 2022! This six-month program provides education and financing to small businesses and prospective entrepreneurs in the Walla Walla Valley. If accepted into the program, participants are also eligible to receive $4,000 in grant money once all program requirements are met.
Information Session
If you or anyone you know would like to learn more, you can attend our short info session which will be hosted via Zoom.
Public-facing Department of Licensing (DOL) offices, including driver licensing offices and prorate & fuel tax counters, remain open by appointment at 25% customer occupancy per Governor Inslee’s most recent statewide restrictions. Drive testing and knowledge testing are ongoing. If later guidance from the Governor’s Office impacts appointments, we will let affected customers know as soon as possible and assist with rescheduling.
We strongly encourage residents to take advantage of expanded online services. Temporary waivers currently allow almost anyone — including people over age 70 and under 24, or those who renewed online last time — to renew their driver license or ID online. Visit our DOL Blog for the latest news. If your driver license was recently extended due to the pandemic, please do not wait until it expires to renew. You can renew your license or ID up to a year before it is set to expire.
DOL online services are the first option in most instances.
There are a lot of services you can do online: • Renew a driver license, ID card, vehicle registration, or instruction permit online. • Apply for a non-photo first-time instruction permit. • Most commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner permits (CLPs) with expiration dates on or after March 1, 2020 have been extended through Feb. 28, 2021, unless they have been renewed already. The extension affects all CDL types and endorsements except CDLs with a hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement
Supporting Homeless and Foster Youth
Information for Students & Families
Please consider sharing this information with students and families in your community.
Passport to Careers Supports Students Who Have Been Homeless or in Foster Care
Have you been in foster care? Or were you homeless without a parent or guardian? The Passport to Careers program helps Washington students who have been homeless or in foster care prepare for careers.
Eligible students can get money to put toward the costs of earning a college certificate or degree, or to help pay for job training through a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. Passport also connects you with experts to help answer questions and navigate your pathway.
Visit the online Passport Guide to learn more about Passport to Careers, including eligibility information, details of how to apply, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to additional resources.
Preparing for college or career training on your own can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! There are people and programs available to help. Learn more and get support.
Related Resources
Schools and education advocates can help vulnerable students apply for college, training, and financial aid. Visit the Passport Resources page for links to websites and materials:
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) sends regular messages to our partners and stakeholders with resources and information about college planning, financial aid, and more. Feel free to use this content—as-is or edited for your audience—in emails, newsletters, social media, or other materials. No attribution is necessary
2021 Symposium: COVID-19 and Latino Experiences in WA State
Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Futuro
On October 13, 2021, representatives from across urban and rural regions of WA state shared data and stories about the pandemic’s impact on their respective Latinx/e communities, with a focus on what’s worked well and what challenges lie ahead. COVID-19 is still disproportionately affecting Latinx/e communities, and it is clear that we need grassroots, community-based efforts combined with top-down efforts to find solutions and continue strengthening Latinos’ health and well-being.
Representatives participated in discussions that focused on issues impacting the Latinx/e communities and produced key policy recommendations that aim to inform COVID recovery resource allocation and policymaking necessary to promote health equity for Latino communities in Washington. We identified four areas of significance to our Latino communities in pandemic times:
Sessions is in! Get involved, know your Legislature
People sometimes confuse the State Legislature in Olympia, Washington with the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. The lawmaking process is similar to that of Congress, the Washington State Legislature only passes laws applicable within the state of Washington.
