Section 1332 Waiver Information
Starting Nov. 1, 2023, people without a federally recognized immigration status who live in Washington can purchase a non-federally subsidized qualified health plan (QHP) and qualified dental plan (QDP) from Washington Healthplanfinder™. Approximately 23% of Washington’s uninsured population is newly eligible to purchase a QHP or QDP coverage under the Section 1332 waiver, which waived the federal definition of "lawfully present" under the Affordable Care Act.
2026 annual public forum
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) will conduct a public forum and accept public comments on the progress of Washington’s Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver on June 30, 2026.
Annual public forum background
The State of Washington applied for and received a State Innovation Waiver under Section 1332 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) in 2022. Pursuant to the Standard Terms and Conditions (“STCs”) applicable to the 1332 Waiver and 31 CFR §33.120(c) and 45 CFR §155.1320(c), the Exchange is required to host an annual Post-Award Forum to accept public comment on the progress of the Section 1332 Waiver.
Annual public forum details
The 2026 public forum is being held online and in person at the following date, time and places:
- When: June 30, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. PDT
- Where (in-person): Olympia, WA (email for directions)
- Where (virtual):
Written comments will also be accepted by email until 5 p.m., on July 10, 2026. To submit an optional written comment, please send an email to with “Annual public forum comment” in subject line.
Note: Per federal instruction, all written comments will be shared with the federal government.
Required materials
- Public forum for Washington’s Section 1332 State Innovation waiver from May 22, 2025 ( | )
- Post Award Public Forum from Apr. 8, 2024 (recording | slides)
- Pre-Launch Webinar from Sept. 7, 2023 (recording | )
Section 1332 Waiver approval
Washington’s 1332 Waiver was approved Dec. 9, 2022 for a five-year period — Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2028 (subject to ongoing federal approval).
To receive updates about the Exchange’s Section 1332 Waiver activities, sign up to receive .
Section 1332 Waiver application materials
- Washington Section 1332 Waiver Application (PDF) (Includes state public comment materials)
- Washington Section 1332 Waiver Application handout (PDF)
- (Includes federal public comment materials)
- Dear Tribal Letters (PDF)
What is a Section 1332 Waiver?
Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver (also referred to as section 1332 waiver) to pursue innovative strategies for providing residents with access to high quality, affordable health insurance while retaining the basic protections of the ACA. State Innovation Waivers are approved for up to five-year periods and can be extended.
Section 1332 waivers are subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury (the Departments). For a Section 1332 waiver to be approved, the Departments must determine that the waiver will provide coverage that is at least as comprehensive as the coverage provided without the waiver; provide coverage and cost-sharing protections against excessive out-of-pocket spending that are at least as affordable as without the waiver; provide coverage to at least a comparable number of residents as without the waiver; and not increase the federal deficit.