In Washington State, as in the U.S. generally, the pandemic does not affect all residents equally. State data reveal that Hispanic (Latinx) residents make up 35% of COVID-19 cases although they comprise only 13% of the state population. In King County, residents who are Hispanic, Black, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander suffer significantly more COVID-19 infections...
Category: News Posts
COVID-related HEROES Act would support Medicaid and the health care safety net; NoHLA letter asks Congress to further address health equity
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion omnibus measure that addresses health care and economic needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation is now in the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass in its current form. The pandemic has made clear that the health and well-being...
TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress that immigrants MUST be included in federal relief
TAKE ACTION (30 seconds!): Click send on this pre-written message to support immigrants in this critical time. All of the coronavirus legislation enacted to date—including the Families First and the CARES Acts— has left many low- and moderate-income immigrants out of both public health and stimulus policies. Much more needs to be done to ensure...
Can the pandemic lead us to a broader vision of health care?
During this traumatic time, the world of health care is in flux. We don’t know how long the pandemic will last or what our state, country and world will look like when it’s over. But it’s pretty clear that access to care is critical – not only to every individual’s health, but also to the...
What NoHLA is doing to strengthen Washington’s COVID-19 response and future community health resiliency
Health care resources are spread thin, and data about the coronavirus pandemic is showing that communities of color are disproportionately affected. The epidemic is exacerbating health disparities that already exist. We need health equity now more than ever. At NoHLA, we’re leveraging our experience as the voice of health care consumers to urge policymakers that...
Postpartum bill vetoed due to economic impacts of pandemic
One of NoHLA’s top legislative priorities this session was Senate Bill 6128, which would have extended Apple Health coverage to 12 months postpartum. In Washington, low-income pregnant women can get comprehensive, no-cost health coverage through the Apple Health/Medicaid program, but coverage ends just two months after the end of pregnancy. Health needs continue through the...
COVID-19: Impact on Immigrant Health
COVID-19 is changing life as we know it. Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to be uninsured and lower-income thus unable to afford costs when health care needs arise. Trump-era policies such as increased immigration enforcement – including at health care facilities despite the sensitive locations policy still in place – and public...