A bill introduced in the Washington State Senate would establish a funding stream for abortions by imposing a new assessment on certain health insurance carriers. The proposed measure drew swift criticism from a conservative group that is urging Washingtonians to oppose it.
SB Bill 6182, introduced Jan. 16 during the 69th Legislature’s 2026 regular session, would create an “abortion savings program” run by the Washington Department of Health. The program would distribute grants to “eligible organizations” that employ “health care providers authorized to terminate a pregnancy.”
Under the bill, health insurance carriers that offer plans through Washington’s health exchange would pay an annual fee tied to enrollment. During the first year, carriers would be assessed $0.82 per “coverage month” (each month an individual is enrolled), with payment due March 1, 2027. The assessment would then drop to $0.165 per coverage month in subsequent years. The bill directs all revenue into a dedicated “abortion savings account” within the state treasury.
Carriers that fail to comply would face penalties ranging from 5% to 20% of the amount owed, plus interest, and could have their certificate of authority or registration suspended or revoked by state regulators.
Washington pro-life advocates argue the proposal amounts to a hidden tax on families and employers who rely on the state’s health exchange. Critics also decry the measure for violating the conscience of pro-life citizens, including those who object to abortion on religious grounds protected under the First Amendment.
The Conservative Ladies of Washington issued a statement Jan. 16, warning that the bill would force Washingtonians to indirectly subsidize abortion through their insurance enrollment while creating a permanent funding mechanism for abortion outside the traditional budget process.
The group said the proposal offers no opt-out for individuals or businesses with moral or religious objections, noting that the only way to avoid contributing would be to leave the exchange entirely and purchase coverage off-exchange.
“This is a significant policy shift,” the group wrote. “[A]bortion funding is moved off the state budget and onto private insurance markets, where individuals have no ability to opt out based on conscience or religious belief.”
The Conservative Ladies of Washington also argued the bill would replace recently-cut abortion funding. Elected lawmakers removed $8.5 million in general-fund abortion grants in the 2025–2027 budget as the state entered 2026 facing a projected deficit of roughly $4.5 billion. SB 6182, the conservative group said, shifts those costs onto insurance carriers and, indirectly, the individuals and families enrolled in exchange plans.
The measure is sponsored by Democratic State Sens. Jessica Bateman, Emily Alvarado, Mike Chapman, T’wina Nobles, Tina Orwall, Rebecca Saldaña, Yasmin Trudeau, Javier Valdez, and Claire Wilson. The bill was referred to the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee on Jan. 16, where it awaits further consideration.
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