UHCC Advocates Roundtable: a Meeting of the Minds
by HCFA-WA Board Member Marcia Stedman
The August 5th Advocates Roundtable marked the first time in the Commission’s nearly 4-year existence that the Universal Health Care Commission engaged directly with universal health care advocates for an in-depth view of their vision and efforts for universal health care in Washington and how their organizations complement the efforts of other organizations. Some members attended remotely, as did most of the Finance Technical Advisory Committee. Numerous members of the public attended both in person and remotely.
Commission Members and Legislators included Chair Vicki Lowe (American Indian Health Commission), Dave Iseminger (Healthcare Authority), Joan Altman (Washington Health Benefit Exchange), Sen. Annette Cleveland (Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee chair) , Rep. Joe Schmick, and Rep. Lisa Parshley.
Vision, Efforts, Complementary Strengths
Health Care for All-Washington (presented by Ronnie Shure and Marcia Stedman) was first formed in 1994 as the Washington Single Payer Action Network, ran an Initiative Campaign in 2000 (unsuccessful), and introduced Washington Health Security Trust (WHST) legislation from 2003-2018 before helping to create the Commission. They support the Commission and its efforts with public comments and by developing and working for legislation that builds the infrastructure necessary for the success of the future universal system.
Washington Community Action Network /Health Care is a Human Right Coalition (presented by Nathan Rodke and John Godfrey) highlighted their role as a community-labor coalition with over 40 sponsoring members. They recently achieved a significant milestone when the Washington State Labor Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution in support of single-payer healthcare at their July 24th Convention, illustrating growing labor movement engagement.
Whole Washington (represented by Andre Stackhouse and Annie Fitzgerald) presented their comprehensive Washington Health Trust proposal, which includes a four-year transition plan and full public financing. They've collaborated extensively with the Commission, providing three presentations and receiving a partial analysis, with hopes for a completed revised analysis by year-end.
Northwest Health Law Advocates (represented by Emily Brice) brought a legal perspective, emphasizing healthcare as a public utility model. They focus on both advancing universal healthcare and serving as watchdogs to ensure rights are protected in any new system.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps:
- Possible continuing collaboration: Commissioners and facilitators expressed an interest in exploring how advocates and the Commission can work together to design a universally funded health care system that is affordable and accessible to all Washington residents.
- Growing Labor Support: The overwhelming passage of the Labor Council resolution represents a significant shift in labor movement engagement with universal healthcare
- Urgency Recognition: All parties acknowledged the pressing timeline due to federal healthcare cuts
- Resource Coordination: Plans for better information sharing and collaborative outreach efforts
- Legislative Engagement: Potential for joint committee work sessions pending further coordination
- Public Education Priority: Recognition that broader public engagement is essential for advancing universal healthcare
- The Commission committed to working with advocacy organizations on improved public outreach and education efforts, while advocates pledged continued support for legislative education and community organizing.
View the Roundtable meeting materials
Watch the Roundtable recording
Financing Mechanisms and Funding
- Progressive public financing as the primary funding mechanism
- Elimination of point-of-service costs to remove economic barriers to care
- Employer-worker assessment model like current premium structures but directed toward public healthcare
- Cost containment measures including global budgeting, price caps, bulk purchasing, and streamlined administration
Labor Movement Engagement
- A significant development emerged regarding labor engagement. The Washington State Labor Council's recent resolution supporting single payer healthcare passed with overwhelming support (only one vote against), indicating growing labor movement interest in universal healthcare advocacy.
- The advocates requested that the Commission take steps to formally engage with labor, suggesting inviting speakers from the Labor Campaign for Single Payer, specifically mentioning Executive Director Rose Roach from Minnesota as an effective spokesperson.
Public Engagement and Education
All advocacy groups emphasized the need for better public education and engagement. Key suggestions included:
- Joint legislative committee work sessions during the interim period
- Online outreach particularly for the disability community
- Door-to-door and phone canvassing to gather community feedback
- Monthly communications highlighting universal healthcare activities and research
Emily Brice noted that over 50% of Washingtonians already have some form of public healthcare coverage, suggesting the foundation for expanded public healthcare already exists.
Urgency and Timeline Concerns
Multiple advocates expressed frustration with the pace of progress, particularly given upcoming federal cuts to ACA subsidies and Medicaid. Annie Fitzgerald from Whole Washington highlighted the disability community's fear of impending cuts, noting that "a lot of people are going to die with these incoming cuts."
Nathan Rodke emphasized the wealth inequality opportunity, suggesting that Washington's billionaire class presents a chance for progressive taxation to fund universal healthcare while addressing broader inequity issues.
The next Universal Healthcare Commission meeting is scheduled for September 11th, from 2 - 5 pm, with plans to build on the collaborative approaches discussed during this inaugural roundtable session. Details available here closer to the date
We encourage you to Sign up to provide public comment by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting occurs.
- We urge our members to push for a single payer plan in their public comments.