On November 1st, Washington will launch its tenth Open Enrollment through the state’s Affordable Care Act Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. And what a decade it’s been! 

NoHLA has advocated for a strong Exchange marketplace for Washington residents since its inception in 2011. When we started this effort, insurers could still deny people coverage for pre-existing conditions. Since then:

• We fought for an independent state-based Exchange that would serve Washington residents at all income levels through one door, instead of the federal default. 
• We fought to get the word out about the new web portal, benefits, and affordability assistance against an anti-ACA misinformation campaign – and we were there to hold the state accountable when the first technology roll-out was flawed in 2014. 
• We joined forces with legal advocates across the country to protect the Exchanges against attacks at the Supreme Court and eventually from the 45th President himself. 
• We’ve continued fighting at a state level to expand the affordability and quality in Exchange plans, resulting in the country’s first public option, Cascade Care Select. 

And we’re only just beginning. Thanks to advocacy from NoHLA and partners, the Exchange will roll out a new premium assistance program this fall, Cascade Care Savings, to help Washington residents who earn under 250% FPL afford their coverage. That state assistance will add onto enhanced federal premium assistance that started during the pandemic, and some families will get an extra affordability boost from a new federal rule that closes the “family glitch” loophole. The result? For the first time, most eligible customers will be able to find a plan for less than $10 a month, including some plans with $0 premiums. 

But we’re not done yet – we need to keep working to secure these advances and address equity gaps:

• This fall, we expect a decision from federal agencies about whether to grant Washington’s nation-leading request to allow undocumented immigrants to buy coverage through the Exchange. 
• We’re calling on the state to investigate the underlying drivers of escalating health insurance premiums. 
• And we’re convening with experts about how to make our public option more equitable and impactful in the future.