2021 Accomplishments
2021 WA Legislative Session wins on bills we prioritized: Permanent Universal Health Care Commission, Medicaid postpartum coverage, Cascade Care affordability, health system cost transparency, behavioral health consumer advocacy & crisis hotline, increase immigrant access, study on expanding dental therapy, preserve safety net funds, increase COVID and public health funding, capital gains tax.
Sustained federal advocacy for Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act, Medicare for All, SBUHC, and Build Back Better agenda
Organized 12 Congressional meetings with good cross-sections of our coalition, most with DC staff, 2 with Sen. Murray
Generated numerous action alerts and group letters to the WA Delegation
Sent substantive policy recommendations to Congressional leaders at request of Sen. Murray & Energy & Commerce Chair Rep. Pallone
Worked with growing number of national advocacy partners (Social Security Works, People’s Action, Physicians for a National Health Program, National Nurses United, Labor Campaign for Single Payer, Healthcare NOW, One Payer States, AFL-CIO . . .)
Well-attended teach-in on Medicare for All, Medicare Expansion & “Medicare Cliff” featuring Rep. Jayapal’s health policy director
For the 4th time since 2017, HCHR’s State Labor Council-affiliated members sponsored a healthcare resolution for WSLC convention supporting Medicare for All and, for the first time, SBUHC; passed by 94%.
Well-attended forum with federal & state lawmakers on next steps to universal health care
Generated WA legislators’ letter to Congressional Delegation supporting State Based Universal Health Care Act.
Universal Health Care Commission nominations: All 6 Governor appointees were nominated either by HCHR, our member HCFA-WA or both
Growing and strengthening our coalition
Recruited 7 new sponsoring members and 2 new allied members, good steps towards strengthening our community-labor coalition and centering BIPOC voices.
Worked with students in the the UW MPH Program and Tacoma CC Bachelors of Applied Science in Community Health program
Preparing for 2022
Adopted the 2022 Federal and State Policy Platform at December general meeting, with participation of 38 of our 39 voting (sponsoring) member organizations.
Formed “HUHCCS” subcommittee of our Policy Committee to support the UHC Commission and keep it true to its legislated goal: a universal, publicly funded health plan for all Washingtonians
Building a more sustainable organization - developing leadership, preparing for modest but sustainable funding system and stronger communications capacity.
