Imagine the challenge of moving your family across the country every few years, restarting your career, and struggling to find a job in your field. For military spouses, this is a constant reality.

The demands of military life make it hard to find stability, but House Bill 1114 offers more job opportunities for military spouses. 

The 2025 legislative session began on Jan. 13, with HB 1114 gaining early attention from us at Greater Spokane Incorporated. This bill proposes Washington State's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a vital step for community health. While it wouldn't apply exclusively to military families, it stands to benefit families  at Fairchild Air Force Base and other installments around the U.S.

Every year, thousands of qualified respiratory therapists leave the field, creating a gap in health care services that affects everyone.

HB 1114 addresses that crisis by making it easier for qualified professionals to work across state lines, ensuring Spokane businesses and health care providers have access to the talent they need. It streamlines license portability while maintaining high professional standards.

Respiratory therapists, indispensable to our health care system, work closely with doctors to deliver specialized care and services to patients with pulmonary challenges. GSI has taken an active role in championing this legislation, organizing local leaders and professionals to deliver powerful testimony in its favor.

By joining the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, Washington state will make it easier for respiratory therapists to practice across state lines, creating a more mobile and flexible health care workforce.

This change supports ultimately strengthening our workforce and improving services for the Spokane community.

Former Fairchild Base Commander Brian Newberry brought his personal experiences and extensive background working with service men and women to the discussion. 

Newberry, whose wife has been a nurse for 35 years, shares the challenges of relocating over a dozen times during his military service.

"This is particularly important as was noted for younger military spouses out there," Newberry says. "They need to get into the workforce fast and are more income constrained, and need a job quickly."

The issue is supported by legislation like the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact because it helps relieve much of that transitional burden experienced by military personnel. 

Newberry highlights how valuable these kinds of programs would have been to him and his wife but hopes current and incoming service members get the opportunity to take advantage of them.

RT shortage

GSI also worked in partnership with Jon Moyer, MultiCare Health System's Director of Respiratory Care. Drawing form his professional expertise, Moyer outlined a pressing challenge.

Moyer says, "According to (the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care), 8,000 respiratory therapists leave the field annually due to retirement or other factors, while only 5,000 enter from academic programs."

Moyer emphasized that the compact offers critical flexibility and portability for respiratory therapists, ensuring patients have access to skilled professionals across the state.

GSI's strategic efforts ensured that these compelling voices were heard, underscoring the widespread benefits of HB 1114, and is proud to have facilitated community participation in this legislative process, showcasing the collective voice of Spokane in support of meaningful, impactful policy. We look forward to promoting our member partners and community when able and will continue working to support the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact in Olympia.

We invite our members to join us in advocating for HB 1114. Reach out to your legislators today and encourage them to support this critical Washington state health care bill that benefits both our health care workforce and military families.

Jaye Hughes is the communications and marketing coordinator at Greater Spokane Incorporated, and John Somerlott is a legislative assistant at GSI.