Worried about rising health care prices? The Washington Health Care Cost Transparency Board (HCCTB) was created by House Bill 2457 in 2020 to decrease health care costs and increase cost transparency. But advocates are concerned that the HCCTB is too focused on concerns of the health care industry. The devastating effects of high health care costs on consumers are not receiving the attention they deserve.
Category: News Posts
Advocates Celebrate New Public Charge Rules
On September 9, 2022, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new final rules regarding public charge to take effect on December 23, 2022 that clarify the long-standing field guidance issued in 1999.
Victory for Health Care Affordability: Inflation Reduction Act Signed Into Law
Calling it “one of the most significant laws in our history,” President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), making profound advances in addressing climate challenges, tax inequity, and health care affordability. The IRA will have implications for millions of Americans and its effect is already being felt in Washington state.
Advocates Call for More Consumer Representation in Reducing Washington’s Health Care Costs
The Washington State Health Care Cost Transparency Board (HCCTB), created by House Bill 2457, is charged with reducing health care growth and increasing price transparency in Washington state. The HCCTB is currently receiving data from 11 insurance carriers and two state agencies for 2017 through 2019. While the HCCTB is focused on the data that must be submitted by October 1st, health care advocates are expressing concern that the most important component of high health care prices is being forgotten, its impact on the “people whose paychecks are increasingly being eaten up by premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs.”
More than 90 Organizations Support Washington State’s 1332 Waiver to Increase Health Care Access for Immigrants and the Waiting Begins
NoHLA is grateful to the 92 organizations that signed the letter of support submitted during the federal comment period for Washington's Section 1332 Waiver Application. The 1332 waiver allows states to pursue innovative strategies while also retaining the basic protections of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Washington’s waiver requests permission to allow immigrants access to high quality, affordable health insurance.
$35 Million in Uninsured Care Expansion Grants Awarded
The Washington State Health Care Authority announced grant awards to 48 organizations for the purpose of providing free health care services for people who are under 200% of federal poverty level and are uninsured and underinsured, regardless of immigration status.
NoHLA Policy Analyst Lee Che Leong Joins HBE Health Equity Committee
Northwest Health Law Advocates Policy Analyst Lee Che Leong attended her first meeting as the newest member of the Health Equity Technical Advisory Committee (Health Equity TAC) of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) on August 3rd.