Next Stop: Appropriations
Thanks to your sustained efforts, we are thrilled to announce that SB 5822, the Pathway to Universal Health Care bill, passed out of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee -- with our amendments -- by a vote of 10 in favor, and 3 opposed. Watch the powerful testimony, including testimony from HCFA-WA president Marcia Stedman (SB 5822 testimony starts at 1:28:00; Marcia's testimony begins 1:32:55).
Not only did it move forward to Appropriations, it did so with bi-partisan support, when Rep. Paul Harris, a GOP member and Minority Caucus Chair, joined the majority to vote in favor of the bill. Rep. Harris is seeking a solution for health care affordability. and proving that access to affordable health care truly is a bi-partisan concern.
HCFA-WA has been abuzz in Olympia: meeting with legislators, testifying at hearings, and activating supporters in key legislative districts. We're very excited by the relationships we are building with legislators. We have also been working with our allies in the Health Care is a Human Right - WA Campaign.
What you can do now:
1) Please email the following Representatives thanking them for voting in favor of SB 5822 (several of whom also serve on Appropriations):
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], my-linh.tha[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
2) Leave a comment on the bill, to let your Legislators know that you support doing everything we can do right now to set the table for universal health care the moment federal funds are available.
And last but not least, please consider supporting our advocacy work!
In summary, SB 5822 has Passed the Senate and the House Health Care Committee. To be considered by the full Legislature, it needs to pass House Appropriations > House Rules > House Floor.