Washington legislature considers bill that would expand health insurance coverage for life saving treatments

SPOKANE — A Washington state bill aims to expand insurance coverage for treatments that could save lives but remain out of reach for millions of residents who rely on state health insurance.

Senate Bill 5915 would change how the state decides which medical treatments to cover for the more than 2.7 million people who receive health insurance through Washington state. The legislation targets a gap that leaves patients without access to newer treatments for rare or life-threatening diseases.

Steve Woodard’s story illustrates the stakes. Diagnosed with glioblastoma two and a half years ago, Woodard has far exceeded the typical 14-month survival expectation for the rare and incurable brain cancer. His wife Lisa credits his remarkable progress to a treatment called tumor treating fields, which uses low-energy electrical fields to disrupt cancer cells’ ability to grow.

“All of Steve’s doctors talk about the fact that he’s doing so well,” Lisa Woodard said. “And it’s not just that he’s alive, but that he’s really thriving. He’s living his best life.”

However, this treatment remains inaccessible to many patients because state insurance does not cover it.

The current system bases coverage decisions on extensive studies that newer treatments often lack. Senate Bill 59-15 would broaden the criteria the state committee uses when deciding what treatments should be covered, potentially opening doors for innovative therapies that show promise but haven’t yet accumulated years of research data.

Steve Woodard maintains an optimistic outlook despite his diagnosis, crediting his survival to multiple factors including community support.

“I always kind of joke around with friends occasionally that God is up in heaven and is saying, if I hear one more prayer request for Steve Woodard to get healthy and be okay, I’m going to send a huge lightning bolt down on this earth,” he said.

His focus remains on making the most of his time.

“I plan on just taking all the opportunities I have that make it the best life I have been given,” Woodard said.

A Senate committee will discuss the bill on Friday. Lisa Woodard plans to testify before the committee and encourages others who support the legislation to register their support on the legislative website.