Bill Improving Access to WA’s Abortion Stockpile Heads to Committee Vote
January 22, 2026
OLYMPIA – The Women’s Commission sponsored legislation, HB 2182/SB 5179 has been heard in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Now, the bills head to vote in committee.
Learn more about this bill: Improving Access to Washington’s Abortion Medication Stockpile Bill
The origins of HB 2182 / SB 5179
In 2023, Washington state purchased stockpiles of mifepristone and misoprostol. These are two medications that are commonly used for abortions and miscarriage management, as a safeguard against legal threats to access. Since then, ideologically motivated attacks against medication abortion have grown, increasing the threat to mifepristone access nationwide.
Currently, logistical barriers slow down the state’s ability to distribute its stockpile of medication abortion. Without clarifications, Washington risks holding a stockpile that cannot be effectively utilized. This undermines the state’s original investment and prevents the medication from being distributed efficiently to the people who need it the most.
House Bill 2182 and companion Senate Bill 5179, “Improving Access to Washington’s Medication Abortion Stockpile,” ensures the state has clear authority to donate the medication abortion to those who need it most, if federal access is disrupted.
Medication abortion faces threats, despite widespread use and safety
In 2024, medication abortions accounted for about 68% of all abortions in Washington state. Medication abortion is a safe, essential, and widely used option for care. Because it can be provided through telehealth and mail delivery, it plays a critical role in ensuring timely access for people who face high barriers to care. This includes those who live far away from the nearest abortion provider or encounter long wait times for in-person appointments.
However, there are now at least three pending federal lawsuits that threaten access to mifepristone. These lawsuits create medically unnecessary barriers to access mifepristone. Additionally, the federal government may also, independent of any litigation, take administrative agency actions that could affect the regulation of and access to mifepristone.
A simple fix to a potential future problem
Our bill, created in partnership with Pro-Choice Washington, makes changes to current state law to establish clear authority and processes to use our medication abortion stockpile if federal access is disrupted or before it expires. House Bill 2182 and companion Senate Bill 5179 accomplishes its goal without adding any new costs. It clarifies roles and responsibilities in the distribution process and removes cost barriers that would impede health providers’ access to this medication. Perhaps most importantly, this legislation ensures patients in Washington maintain access to medication abortion when they need it most, regardless of any changes at the national level.
How you can support
House Bill 2182 was heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on Friday, January 16th. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 5179 was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Wednesday, January 21st. Now, both bills head to a vote in their corresponding committees.
One way to make a meaningful impact, is to take a look at the members of each committee. If you see the legislator from your district, send them a message! Identify yourself as a constituent, share a note about why you support HB 2182/SB 5179 before the next vote.
- Senate Human Services Committee Membership: View Membership
- Vote occurs Tuesday January 27th
- House Health Care and Wellness Membership: View Membership
- Vote occurs Friday January 23rd
Watch our testimony in the Senate Human Services Committee