Category: News Posts

As the pandemic approaches another potential spike, it’s more important than ever for Washington residents to access COVID-19 testing and treatment when necessary without fear of unexpected medical bills. Please continue to spread the word about protections for Washington State residents against medical bills for COVID-19 testing and treatment: For state-regulated (“fully insured”) private health...

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how immigrants in Washington State face inequitable access to critical health and safety net programs. As a first step in improving equity and basic economic security for immigrants, there are new funds available to help Washington State residents who don’t qualify for other COVID-19 relief programs due to their immigration...

NoHLA is partnering with El Centro de la Raza and Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) with support from ACLU of Washington to advocate for health equity for immigrants. Many public health coverage programs include immigration status restrictions, which excludes many people from accessing these vital programs. The COVID-19 public health emergency has made it clear...

In response to comments from NoHLA and other advocates, the state Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced it will permit applicants to make an informed choice to obtain Family Planning Only program (FPO) services without applying for full scope Medicaid.  This is welcome news, as the state-funded program became available to all regardless of immigration...

This year, in lieu of our annual all-day in-person seminar, we went virtual with 5 sessions, one a week in the month of October. The theme is “Pandemic Response: How Do We Center Health Equity?”  It’s been a great run so far! The series began with a compelling keynote presentation by Dr. Rhea Boyd, followed...

Know someone who needs health coverage or wants to switch their plan? It’s Open Enrollment season for Washington State residents seeking individual coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s official insurance marketplace, or Medicare. Washington Healthplanfinder Open Enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2020 – Jan. 15, 2021. During this time, people can sign up or renew...

As we head into November, all eyes are on the other Washington. Our state’s health care system will be fundamentally shaped by the next few weeks, as the election proceeds and  Judge Amy Coney Barrett takes a seat on the Supreme Court after yesterday’s rushed confirmation. Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court will hear oral...