November 21, 2023

By Consuelo Echeverria  In Nov, the FTAC addressed the UHCC request to focus on Coverage/Enrollment with an in-depth explanation of how Medicaid works in WA and potential opportunities for Medicaid under a universal health care system. While Medicaid in WA certainly is trying to...

November 21, 2023

By Ron Lovell In November’s Second Wednesday Speaker Series, Sasha Wasserstrom, Policy Director at Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), the largest immigrant-led coalition in Washington state. Sasha highlighted the coverage and gaps of the landmark 1332 waiver that provides health care for immigrants regardless...

November 16, 2023

UHCC Advocacy Pays Off; eternal vigilance is the price By Marcia Stedman  With 2 years and 14 meetings under their belts, the Commissioners have finally found their voices. Nearly half of the Commission members were absent from the recent October 12th meeting, but those who...

November 16, 2023

By Ron Lovell Medicare Advantage (MA) is a type of health plan offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide Medicare Parts A and  B benefits. These plans are also known as “Part C” or “MA Plans”. Medicare pays these private companies...

November 15, 2023

By Marcia Stedman We are pleased to report that at the August 10 meeting (#13), after years of continued public comments urging the Universal Health Care Commission (UHCC) to set a vision, legislators requested that the UHCC view the Washington Health Trust (WHT) bill...

October 31, 2023

Do we have the power to negotiate drug prices? Highlights from the HCFA-WA 2023 Annual Educational Conference and Meeting By Consuelo Echeverria An unprecedented increase in pharmaceutical drug prices has left many Washingtonians unable to pay for their medications. On the other hand, Pfizer...

September 29, 2023

State based universal health care, large employers and ERISA By Consuelo Echeverria  September’s FTAC meeting was jam packed. We had Bill Kramer discuss large employers’ perspectives on State-based universal health care (SBUHC) and Erin Fuse Brown on ERISA considerations for the UHCC.  Mr. Kramer...

September 29, 2023

by Marcia Stedman Washington and Oregon lead the nation in developing universal state-based single-payer healthcare, and we’re collaborating! In mid-July, 23 health justice leaders representing 14 organizations across both states gathered in Seattle and virtually to discuss the current status of our single-payer efforts...

August 29, 2023

By Consuelo Echeverria  The July meeting of the Financial Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC) was the second of three deep dives into the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. While there is much to digest in Harvard’s Center for Health Law and Policy...

August 28, 2023

After the start date of Nov. 30, 2021 there is a lack of momentum and urgency in creating a universal health care system. There is still no unified vision or goal and the lack of a deadline or a clear mandate from the legislature...