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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a 2020 presidential candidate, signed off Monday on a first-in-the-nation public-option insurance plan. The state will offer public health care plans that cover standard services to all residents, regardless of income, by 2021, Inslee said at a press conference. The plans will still be administered by private insurance companies, but the terms will be set by the state. Inslee called the bill a "template" for the U.S. (Hellmann, 5/13)

The plans won’t be available until January 2021, and it’s too early to know what exact coverage they will offer or how much they’ll drive down health-insurance costs. But in remarks Monday, Inslee called it the first state public-option plan in America and a counterweight to attempts by Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration to roll back health-care coverage. “This legislation is one way for our state to push back, to ensure that all Washingtonians have high-quality health-care insurance, an option they can afford that is available across the state of Washington,” said Inslee, who is also running for president. (O'Sullivan, 5/13)

Eligible residents who live in Washington State will have a new benefit available to them starting in 2025: a $100-per-day allowance for a variety of long-term care services, which will last up to a year. The money will come from a payroll tax that begins in 2022, according to rules in a bill that the state’s governor signed Monday. Residents’ employers will put 0.58 percent of their paychecks — $290 for every $50,000 in income — into a state fund. Washington does not have a state income tax. (Lieber, 5/13)

Inslee, surrounded by a large group of lawmakers and advocates of the measure, called it a "win for all Washington workers." "This benefit will be available for those who need it when the time comes to face the fact that daily living presents some challenges, and you need just a little help," he said before signing the measure. "This is going to make sure that help is there without bankrupting your family." (La Corte, 5/13)

Washington state has ordered two “sham” health care sharing ministries to stop selling plans in the state, arguing that they’re deceiving consumers into believing they’re purchasing traditional insurance. Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler says his office has received more than 20 complaints about the companies, Aliera Healthcare and Trinity Healthshare. (Demko, 5/13)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a first-in-the-nation measure Monday to make it easier for people without health insurance to find out if they qualify for low-cost insurance after they file their taxes. The new law will create a box for people to check on state income tax returns. If a taxpayer checks the box, the state's health care exchange will see if the person qualifies, based on information in the tax return. Those who qualify for Medicaid will be enrolled automatically. The exchange will reach out to people who qualify for private coverage. (5/13)

The bill that created the “Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Program” was among more than 180 pieces of legislation passed by state lawmakers that Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, signed into law during a State House ceremony on Monday. (Wood, 5/13)