In this time of unprecedented challenges, health disparities have been magnified and many Washington residents still do not have access to affordable health care. Yet discussions are underway about budget cuts. Recently, in response to the forecasted revenue shortfalls, state agencies including the Health Care Authority participated in an exercise to project budget cuts of 15%. HCA’s list would eliminate health coverage for thousands of immigrant children and adults, would drop Medicaid benefits related to cancer treatment, maternity supports, reproductive health, and adult dental care, and much more. If adopted, these cuts would erase many of the gains of the past few decades and would aggravate disparities further.

Urging Legislators to Invest, Not Cut

NoHLA is shining a light on the disparate impact of COVID-19 and the need to protect and strengthen healthcare for Washingtonians during this time, rather than cutting services to those who are already underserved.  We recently drafted a letter to Washington legislators to which 38 organizations signed on, urging them to not only preserve but also strengthen access to necessary healthcare and human services.  We see this approach as essential to addressing issues at the intersection of structural racism, public health, health inequities, and the current pandemic. Across the country, local and state leaders are declaring racism a public health crisis or emergency, including those in King and Pierce Counties and across the country. These declarations are an important first step in the movement to advance racial equity and justice and must be followed by allocation of resources and strategic action.  

Strengthening state programs will also aid in Washington’s economic recovery, as the letter points out. Historically, cutting state services reduces economic activity, but when a state increases spending during a recession, it stimulates recovery by creating economic growth.

Access to care is critical to the health of our communities, yet the pandemic has placed coverage and care out of reach for many. To address the long-standing inequities that have only been exacerbated by COVID-19,  and to ensure all residents have equitable and affordable access, our state should redirect resources  to invest in building healthy communities, address longstanding inequities, and support a strong economic recovery.

Read our letter to legislators.

–Natalie McCarthy, NoHLA Summer Extern and Janet Varon, NoHLA Executive Director