Blog
March FTAC Meeting: Our Advocacy is Paying Off!
March 28, 2024
By Consuelo Echeverria Our advocacy is paying off! This was the first time we heard the members really engage in substantial discussion. The presentation of Whole Washington’s WA Health Trust triggered a substantial discussion on steps to universal health care, its feasibility, cost and...
Read MoreFebruary UHCC Meeting Recap
February 28, 2024
The Universal Health Care Commission Needs a Reboot by Marcia Stedman In a state where a majority of voters supports a universal healthcare system, Washington is not well-served by its Universal Health Care Commission. At its February meeting, the Commission once again punted on its...
Read MoreQ & A on 2SSB 5399, the Universal Health Care Commission
February 27, 2024
By Elaine Cox and Sarah Weinberg, MD Q: Where did this UHC Commission (UHCC) idea come from? A: The final report of the Universal Health Care Work Group was sent to the legislature on January 15, 2021. It created a commission to spearhead the...
Read MoreDecember UHCC & January FTAC Meetings
February 27, 2024
Finance Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC) Meeting Jan, 2024 By Consuelo Echeverria The first FTAC meeting of 2024 was underwhelming. The role of the FTAC is to answer the Universal Health Care Commission’s (UHCC) questions. This month, the question was to make recommendations on an...
Read MoreNovember FTAC Recap: Can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear
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...
Read More2nd Wednesday Speaker Series Spotlight on Immigrant Health
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...
Read MoreUniversal Health Care October Meeting Recap
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...
Read MoreWhat is Medicare Advantage?
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...
Read MoreFinally, a vision! Universal Health Care Commission August Meeting Recap
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...
Read MoreOctober 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...
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