August 1-2 Reach New Heights for Universal Health Conference - sponsored by One Payer States

When
Fri.,  Aug. 1: 1:00-5:30 pm MT/ 12:00-4:30 pm PT 
Sat., Aug. 2: 9:00 AM-5:00 pm MT/ 8:00 am-4 pm PT

Where
Kirk of Bonnie Brae United Church of Christ, 1201 S. Steele Street, Denver, CO. 
Register HERE ($60) for in-person.
Online is free. Register here for online.

Convening state-based single-payer advocates, public-health scholars, labor organizers, clinicians, policymakers, and grassroots leaders in a hybrid (in-person + online) format, this Conference 

• accelerates the movement for publicly financed, privately delivered universal health care
• builds momentum for state-based reform
• puts you at the epicenter of policy, politics, and practice when windows for state-level breakthroughs are widening.

More details here!

August 5 Universal Health Care Commission (UHCC) Advocates Roundtable
When: Tues., Aug. 5 - 3-5 pm

In this moderated discussion, advocacy groups will share their visions for universal health care in Washington to help inform the Commission's ongoing work. Representatives from

• Health Care for All – Washington
• Health Care Is a Human Right – Washington
• Washington Community Action Network (CAN)
• Whole Washington

will be joined by Commission members who are invited to ask follow-up questions and share their reflections. Join us, we’d love to see you there!

View the Meeting Materials

Where:
In person at the Health Care Authority’s Cherry Street Plaza building (recommended)
Visitor Map with Parking Instructions
Sue Crystal Conference Rooms 106A and 106B
626 8th Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Remotely on Zoom
Call on mobile: Phone: 1-253-215-8782 - Alternate: 1-253-205-0468 

Reception at Eileen Cody’s House with WA State Senator June Robinson and Health Care for All-Washington members and YOU!

When: Wed., Aug. 6 - 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Click here for location details

Eileen Cody, former Chair of the House Health Care Committee, and guest speaker Senator June Robinson, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, have been two of the most influential and consequential leaders in health care for more than 40 years. Please join us on August 6th for updates from key legislative champions. 

Learn how you can support our efforts to move further along the Pathway to Universal Health Care!

Aug 23 - Northwest Progressive Institute Picnic: Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer addresses how WA is beginning to respond to the passage of H.R. 1, Donald Trump's big ugly budget bill. 

When: Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 | 4:30 PM until dusk
Where: Perrigo Park, 9011 196th Avenue NE, Redmond, Washington 98053
Details and RSVP 

Image: A photo of Senator Ed Markey announcing the reintroduction of the State Based Universal Health Care Act. Representative Pramila Jayapal stands beside Sen. Markey.

Federal Legislation: the State Based Universal Health Care Act (SBUHCA) 

by HCFA-WA member Cris Currie 

During the Washington State Legislative Interim, our attention shifts to Federal legislation and the State Based Universal Health Care Act.  

On July 15th, Senator Markey (D-MA) reintroduced the State Based Universal Health Care Act  (HR 4406, S 2286) into the US Congress.  This bill provides a one-step waiver applicationprocess for states to access federal healthcare funds that are needed to make a state-based universal health care system a reality. 

At the press conference, the One Payer States coalition was explicitly cited as a catalyst. There are now at least 19 states , including Washington, that are actively pursuing state-based, single-payer healthcare, involving hundreds of dedicated activists.  Many states have done their own economic feasibility studies.  What these states have in common is the desire to both expand benefits for every resident and make quality health care truly affordable.

Watch the press conference

Image: A closeup of turbulent water with text reading JULY FTAC: Momentum is building...is it a sea change?

Momentum is Building in Washington! 

by HCFA-WA Board Member Marcia Stedman

The July 17th Finance Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC) meeting marked the beginning of Washington’s 2025 fiscal year, the end of Health Management Associates’ consultant contract, and stronger participation by all Committee members.  Health Care Authority staff members Ross Valore (Boards and Commissions Director) and Mary Franzen (Coverage Strategies Manager) proved they are  well-qualified to facilitate the meetings going forward, providing an excellent summary of the June UHCC meeting and its Public Comments.  Dare we hope that a sea change is in progress?  

You can view the Meeting Recording here!

Recommendations Clearly Documented

• Eligibility: Medicaid beneficiaries, CHIP participants, individual market enrollees, state and local government employees, and uninsured populations are to be included, with optional participation pathways for persons covered by employer-sponsored plans. Tribes are exempt but have an option to enroll.
• Benefits: Based on Washington’s Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) which has an 87-90% actuarial value with emphasis on simplicity, predictability, low barriers for lower-income populations, careful consideration of cost-sharing principles and federal waiver requirements necessary for implementation. Services not in UMP to be available as supplemental coverage.
• Datasets: check the body of work that the UHCC and FTAC have already done

Decision Process Clarified

• Specialized work groups will refine these recommendations before the presentation at the September Universal Commission meeting.
• New actuarial modelling will guide data-driven policy development and be supported by a $250,000 appropriation from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner
• Previously proposed transitional solutions, including administrative simplification measures and existing program leverage strategies, will be comprehensively reviewed.

 Priorities

• Interstate collaboration and regional coordination, with plans to invite Oregon experts in September to discuss multi-state insurance plan compacts under "1333 waiver" provisions.
• Strengthening stakeholder engagement and continued integration of public comment perspectives into policy development processes.
• Supporting the upcoming Advocates Roundtable on August 5, 2025
  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
  • Format/Location: This is an open public meeting taking place in Olympia, Washington, with an option to attend remotely via Zoom.

Link for the Advocacy Roundtable Meeting Materials
Link to join the Advocates Roundtable meeting on August 5.

Next UHCC meeting: Thurs., Sept. 11 - 2-5 pm
Next FTAC meeting: Thurs., Sept.18 - 2-4:30 pm

We encourage you to:

• Sign up to provide public comment by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting occurs.
• Push for a single payer plan in your public comments.
• Read our take on past UHCC and FTAC meetings
• Subscribe to Health Care Authority (HCA) for updates.

Washington and Oregon should develop universal, single payer healthcare systems in response to Trump’s ugly vulture budget - Northwest Progressive Institute Cascadia Advocate - July 4, 2025

They Cut Medicaid, Not the Waste: Congress Protects Big Insurance While Slashing Care - Health Care Uncovered - May 14, 2025

Health Affairs: Health Care Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” - Health Care Uncovered - May 27, 2025