In this e.Bulletin: Important legislation needs your insulin affordability story, upcoming Blitz meetings - online! And more!
HCFA-WA Policy Success! Hearing for State Insulin Affordability Bills January 17th!
We need insulin affordability stories to share with legislators.
HCFA-WA is very pleased and proud to see that one of our top legislative priorities for 2020 is taking root in legislation. Our collaborative work with bill sponsor Senator Keiser (33rd LD) was incorporated into two Senate bills related to controlling insulin costs. We have also been working with Rep. Eileen Cody on House versions of drug affordability bills. We are excited to see this policy initiative during a short-session that normally focuses on the supplemental budget.
We urge our members to take action to support these bills. With your advocacy, we are optimistic that these bills will be well received and gain sponsorship from both sides of the aisle. We especially need to hear your stories of you or a loved one having difficulty accessing insulin because of the cost.
➤ Share your insulin affordability story here.
➤ Email the Senate Health Care Committee in support of these bills here.
Read more about the bills and our take on them, here. The bills are getting attention in local and national news!
Zooming Over to Action- Join Our Livestream about the 2020 Legislative Session
“Life moves pretty fast.” So does this short legislative session, starting January 13, but we are here to get you ready to act fast! Please join Health Care for All Washington for our first on-line Blitz meetings, coming to you live via Zoom, for healthcare legislation updates. And, find out the next actions needed to advance the cause in this 60-day legislative session.
We will give a short presentation and then allow plenty of time to ask questions through the Chat line. Details on how to access the meeting can be found here.
We will present the updates at 3 different times, so you can join the most convenient for you:
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 7:30 PM RSVP
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 3:30 PM RSVP
Saturday, Jan 25, 2020 11:00 AM RSVP
Is Your Legislator on a Health Care Committee?
Map of Washington State Legislative Districts
Once you are up to speed on the legislation from attending our Zoom meeting, you’ll naturally want to call legislators. The next bodies to consider the bills will be the health care committees. If you are a committee member's constituent, your emails and phone calls to your legislator are SUPERSIZED. Is your legislator on a health care committee? Find out here.
Note to supporters who live in 43rd district (Seattle: Cap. Hill/UDist./Madison Pk/Wallingford): You have massive clout as you have 2 legislators serving on the House Health and Wellness Committee: Rep. Nicole Macri the Committee Vice-Chair, and Rep. Frank Chopp who also serves on the Appropriations Committee.
December Universal Health Care Work Group Report
The theme of the second meeting was Problem Identification and Root Causes. Our own Board Member Kelly Powers writes about her presentation of how healthcare affordability is now much like a game of whack-a-mole, when one cost goes down, another goes up. Check out her report and links to the meeting video here.
Thank you to our dedicated HCFA-WA members who are participating in the Universal Health Care Work group! They are: Dennis Dellwo, Pete McGough, Kelly Powers, Ronnie Shure, Lynette Vehrs, and Sherry Weinberg.
The next meeting is Friday, February 7, 2020, in Olympia. Public testimony is critical to keeping the pressure on the Work Group to deliver solid results to the legislature.
More Action! Are you a health professional?Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is inviting you to add your signature to an open letter from physicians (including medical students and other health professionals) recommending improved Medicare for All here. |
Healthcare in the News
National
Every American family basically pays an $8,000 ‘poll tax’ under the U.S. health system, top economists say
"The U.S. health-care system is the most expensive in the world, costing about $1 trillion more per year than the next-most-expensive system — Switzerland’s. That means U.S. households pay an extra $8,000 per year, compared with what Swiss families pay." Read more at the Seattle Times
Local
Whole Washington “Die-In” Protests State of Reform Policy Conference
Photo by Alice B. Green, RN
On Thursday, January 9, the Backbone Campaign and Whole Washington organized a “Die-In” to protest a conference being held by a healthcare industry organization, State of Reform. The protest sought to bring attention to the lives lost due to the inability of patients to access needed care and drugs.
Upcoming Events
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Wed, Jan. 15 |
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Physicians for a National Health Program -Western Washington (PHNPWW) Monthly Meeting 7:30pm, Swedish/Cherry Hill Campus |
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Thurs, Jan 16 |
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King County Board of Health Meeting King County Council Chambers, 10th floor Discussing its 2020 legislative agenda, which includes pushing the state for funding foundational health services and expanding affordable health care coverage. Meeting is open to the public and includes a comment period. |
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Fri, Jan 17 |
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Healthcare Legislation Hearings, Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee |
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Mon, Jan 20 |
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PNHPWW's MLK, Jr Birthday Celebration All day at Garfield High School with workshops, general meeting and march PNHP-WW will co-host a workshop on Medicare for All with Chris Wong and HCFA-WA's Ronnie Shure on the panel. PNHP will participate in the march with their banner. |
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Wed, Jan. 22
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HCFA-WA: 2020 Legislative Blitz Meeting #1 by Zoom Preview our focus for the upcoming session's legislative bills and actions and learn how you can advocate! Agenda TBD. |
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Thurs, Jan 23 |
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HCFA-WA: 2020 Legislative Blitz Meeting #2 by Zoom |
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Sat, Jan 25 |
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HCFA-WA: 2020 Legislative Blitz Meeting #3 by Zoom |
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Fri, Feb 7 |
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Policy Bills must pass Policy Committee in Body of Origin |
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Fri, Feb 7 |
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UHC Work Group Meeting 3!!! Legislative Building, Olympia
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Tues, Feb 11 |
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Bills with costs/revenues must pass Fiscal Committees in Body of Origin (i.e., Rep. Keiser's bills must pass the Senate Ways & Means Committee)
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Wed, Feb 19 |
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Bills must pass the floor of the Body of Origin (i.e., non-fiscal bills must pass the full Senate) |
We're looking forward to a new year - and decade - of Everybody In, Nobody Out Health Care!
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★ Regular Contributors - Editor: Elaine Cox ★ Content: Kelly Powers ★ Communications Specialist: Sydnie Jones ★ Health News: Rich Lague & Cris Currie ★
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