The Trump Administration has long been working to undermine the Affordable Care Act, including the strong regulations implementing its non-discrimination protections in ACA Section 1557. This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services chose to officially rollback these protections for people historically subjected to discrimination, in the midst of a global pandemic disproportionately...
Category: News
Racism is a public health crisis
To achieve health equity, we must address racism and address the associated health disparities that are now greatly magnified by COVID-19. NoHLA, along with many others in the health care, advocacy, and public health communities, demands action to address racism and related disparities as they affect health. Here are a few of the groups and...
Health care repeal lawsuit briefing begins in Supreme Court
In the middle of a global pandemic, the federal administration is still trying to take down the Affordable Care Act, wasting time and money on a lawsuit designed to collapse our health care system. It’s hard for us to imagine, too. Here is the latest on what is happening, provided by Community Catalyst: The Health...
Supreme Court decision: DACA still alive!
We are thrilled to see the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this month that maintained the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Trump Administration did not follow proper legal procedures in terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2017. This decision means...
Welcoming Natalie McCarthy, NoHLA summer extern!
NoHLA welcomes our 2020 summer Extern, Natalie McCarthy. Natalie is from Tacoma, WA and is a third year law student at Seattle University. Natalie’s interest in health care began early when she lost her sight to brain cancer at age 10 and as a result, aspired to become an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Natalie...
COVID-19 magnifies racial and ethnic disparities
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...
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...