Washington Isn't Waiting
by Marcia Stedman, President

. . . and neither is Health Care for All-Washington.

As we take time to connect with family and friends during this summer recess, we are also planning our work for the coming year. This year, we have a three-pronged strategy:

1. Participate in and monitor the deliberations of the Universal Health Care Work Group. The Health Care Authority is currently assembling the members of the Work Group, including the actuarial firm that will carry out the economic studies mandated by the Pathway Bill. The meetings of the Work Group will be open to the public, and it is expected that there will be time allotted at each meeting for public comments. We will keep you informed.

2. Advocate for the State Based Universal Health Care Act that is due to be introduced into the U.S. Congress, possibly as early as this fall. Federal support - both financial and regulatory - is critical for the success of our state-based plan. Has your Congressional representative co-sponsored this important legislation? Ask them, and let them know why it’s important to you.

3. Continue working together with key leadership and universal health care champions to develop legislation that will move us closer to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for our state’s residents. From its incorporation in 1994 as the Washington Single Payer Action Network, through its brief tenure as the initiative campaign known as Health Care 2000, through its 2002 name change to Health Care for All-Washington until today, HCFA-WA has been the leading group in Washington state dedicated to fighting for single-payer healthcare for all Washington residents. Thank you for your continued support of our work!

As you continue to enjoy this summer recess, we invite you to stay tuned and visit our blog for updates and articles of interest on both state and Federal actions.