Lillian Ortiz-Self — Referenced as having previously mentioned the opportunity for employees to change their status.
HB2218 — The speaker refers to the bill’s provisions without repeating them in detail.
HB2218 — The speaker says the bill restores provider choice, protects against coercion, and supports timely, cost-effective care.
HB2218 — The witness states support for the bill.
HB2218 — The witness refers to the bill as an important measure.
HB2218 — The witness says the bill would help address barriers to care.
HB2218 — The witness says the bill restores provider choice and geographic access.
HB2218 — The witness urges passage of the bill and describes its treatment and monitoring provisions.
HB2218 — The bill’s rural access provision is explained: workers may seek care farther than 15 miles if no network provider is available nearby.
HB2218 — The bill is identified as the measure Conner opposes.
HB2218 — The bill is described as containing multiple provisions, with attention on penalties for directing care.
HB2218 — Discussed as creating and codifying a prohibition on directing or inducing a worker to see a specific provider.
HB2218 — The bill’s penalty structure is described, including different sanctions for state fund and self-insured employers.
HB2218 — Logue says the bill is not ready because it changes the system without understanding implementation.
HB2218 — House Bill 2218 is discussed as a bill being supported by the speakers. The discussion explains that the bill is intended to let doctors practice medicine and allow patients to receive the treatment their doctor believes is appropriate, rather than serving as a wholesale replacement of the current system. It is also referenced as the vehicle for the requested refinements to the system.
Brenda Weist — Brenda Weist of Teamsters 117 is introduced as a forthcoming witness and then testifies in support of House Bill 2218.
David Lauman — David Lauman is introduced as a forthcoming witness from the Washington State Association for Justice. He then identifies himself as an attorney who has represented injured workers for nearly 30 years and explains that, over that time, he has seen it become increasingly difficult for injured workers to access the care they need, with growing delays and denials.
Alan Thomas — Alan Thomas is identified as an upcoming witness and then introduces himself as a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with 25 years of experience treating injured workers.
Dr. Thomas — Explained that the bill would make utilization review and authorizations easier and could bring more providers into the network.
Ms. Weist — Referenced as the next speaker; she explains the pre-network choice of doctor and the downsides of certification.
Patrick Connor — Named as the next witness from NFIB.
Patrick Connor — Named as one of the next witnesses, likely appearing via Zoom.
Carolyn Logue — Carolyn Logue was introduced as the next witness from Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific, then testified on behalf of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter, stating that the bill is premature.
Carolyn Logue — Identified as a witness from the Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter.
Carolyn Logue — Carolyn Logue was called to testify and identified herself as representing the Associated Builders and Contractors of Inland Pacific and the Washington Food Industry Association. She then stated that she had already sent comments on the proposed substitute and agreed with prior testimony that the bill would significantly impact businesses, especially small businesses.
Chris Teft — Chris Teft of the Washington Self-Insurers Association was introduced as the next witness and then testified on behalf of the association, focusing on the bill’s penalties for directing care.
Kirsta Glenn — Kirsta Glenn of the Department of Labor and Industries is introduced as a forthcoming witness and identified as a deputy assistant director in the Insurance Services Division. She then testifies on behalf of the department, saying the department agrees with much of the testimony heard, supports continued work on the bill language to reduce delays and help workers heal and return to work, and notes that while access problems are real, some proposed changes are untested and could create risk.
Tammy Fellin — Tammy Fellin was introduced as a forthcoming witness from the Department of Labor and Industries and then later testified on behalf of the department, stating that the department generally agrees with the discussion.
Patrick Conner — Patrick Conner of NFIB, representing Washington small business owners, introduced himself and stated that he was testifying in opposition to House Bill 2218.
Patrick Conner — Patrick Conner of NFIB testifies in opposition to HB 2105, arguing that very small businesses should be exempt, and concludes by offering to answer any questions from the committee.
David Penner — Named as a forthcoming witness.
A.J. Johnson — A.J. Johnson of the Washington State Council of Firefighters is first introduced as a forthcoming witness, then later testifies in support of House Bill 2218 on behalf of the organization’s 9,000 members.
Brian Wright — Named as a forthcoming witness.
Brian Wright — Testified in support of House Bill 2218 as an attorney representing injured workers.
Ms. Fellin — Ms. Fellin is introduced as an upcoming Department of Labor and Industries witness, and the chair then hands the floor to her to proceed.
Ms. Glenn — Identified as a forthcoming Department of Labor and Industries witness.
Mike Ennis — Mike Ennis of the Building Industry Association of Washington was introduced as part of the next panel and then testified on the bill, speaking on behalf of the association in opposition while acknowledging concerns about delayed treatment approvals and provider shortages.
Rose Gunderson — Named as part of the next panel to testify.
Rose Gunderson — Testified on behalf of the Washington Retail Association in opposition to the bill, while acknowledging the compelling stories that prompted the proposal.
Rose Gunderson — Rose Gunderson is introduced and called to testify, then speaks on behalf of the Washington Retail Association. In her testimony, she raises concerns about whether the bill adequately addresses the issues previously discussed. The segment ends as the chair thanks her and moves on to the next witness.
James Crandall — Named as part of the next panel to testify.
James Crandall — Testified for the Association of Washington Business with concerns about HB 2218 and the balance of the workers' compensation system.
James Crandall — Named as an upcoming witness from the Association of Washington Businesses.
James Crandall — Testifies for the Association for Washington and raises concerns about the bill's penalty structure and private right of action.
Doug Murray — Identified as a member of the Vancouver Fire Department whose story was referenced as part of the testimony.
Ryan Reese — Identified as a board member whose story was referenced; the speaker said he died by suicide.
Dr. David Penner — Testified as a board-certified psychiatrist about draft medical guidelines and their impact on first responders.
Mr. Crandall — Mr. Crandall is identified as part of the next panel and then formally called to testify after Rose Gunderson, marking his introduction to the hearing.