News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer’s priorities are focused on protecting consumers, responding to wildfires’ impacts on home insurance, and preserving access to preventive services as the 2026 legislative session begins.

“I’ve always seen consumer protection as a key element of insurance regulation, and my priorities this year reflect that,” Kuderer said. “I’m excited to work with our state lawmakers to help protect our people, their home coverage and their health insurance rights.”

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s website has…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer fined Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington $300,000 on Wednesday, Jan. 7, for violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), with $100,000 suspended.

“I’ve seen a trend among our state’s largest health insurers of mental health parity issues,” Kuderer said. “The market scans that started our work on these violations was an important step and I’m glad to see these issues corrected so Washingtonians have the access they deserve to these important services.”

The Office of…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 6, to discuss proposed rules around supplemental long-term care insurance.

Supplemental long-term care insurance was established as an option in Washington under ESSB 5291, which the Legislature passed in 2025. It will pay for long-term care expenses once the benefits available to Washington residents under the WA Cares Fund have been exhausted.

The bill also directed the OIC to craft rules for how the product is offered and regulated to ensure all affected parties…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Legislature will have several options to consider in addressing issues with the availability of insurance coverage for child housing service providers licensed by the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services, according to a report submitted to the Legislature on December 31 (PDF 2.80MB).

The report explores the availability and affordability of insurance for child placing agencies (CPAs), group foster homes (GFHs), childcare centers, and family childcare homes licensed by the DCYF. It also, in accordance with the Legislature’s request, examines those…