YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — State hospitals in Washington state must now report additional financial and patient demographic information to the state under a new law intended to increase transparency. The Yakima Herald-Republic reported that Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law on Monday that requires state hospitals to provide information, including reports about charity care and emergency aid, to the state Department of Health. The law will be implemented in stages over the next two years. Patient advocates and other supporters of the bill have said the legislation will give residents more information about hospital spending and how funding influences decision-making. Most Republican lawmakers voted against the bill.
Washington state law to boost hospital transparency
