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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

October 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...