OLYMPIA, Wash. — On Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee signed five new bills into law aimed at protecting reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare in the state.
The five bills don’t just protect people and doctors in Washington, but also those in other states seeking care in the Evergreen State.
“We have Mt. Rainier, we have the Puget Sound, and we have the freedom of choice for women in the state of Washington,” Gov. Inslee said.
As some states around the Inland Northwest pass laws banning abortion and gender-affirming care, new Washington laws do the opposite.
One new law acts as a shield for abortion and gender-affirming care patients and doctors.
“This bill will prohibit cooperation for our state’s investigations related to abortion, and it will prohibit methods to try to intrude into this right across the state of Washington,” Inslee said.
The newly passed “My Health, My Data Act” stops apps and websites from collecting, sharing, and selling someone’s health data.
“Let’s say you, for example, use an app to track your period. You might quite reasonably think that your very personal health information is being protected. No, no, HIPA applies in that setting. The entity that owns that app can literally give that information away, can sell that information without your consent, which is outrageous,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Another new law protects Washington doctors from disciplinary action for providing care in the state, even to people from other states.
Last month, Bonner General in Sandpoint announced the closure of its obstetrics unit, in part because of doctors leaving the state, fearing jail time for performing care.
Other bills signed into law will mean anyone seeking an abortion cannot be required to pay a co-payment or meet their deductible to have their services covered, and will protect access to abortion medication.
Source: kxly