The Washington Health Benefit Exchange approved NoHLA Senior Policy Advocate Lee Che P. Leong’s re-appointment to its Health Equity Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for two years. Lee Che first joined the TAC in 2021. In 2023, Lee Che worked with the Health Equity TAC in adopting a new equity statement:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities.

To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange’s area of influence.

Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.

August 14th will be the first meeting of the new Health Equity TAC.

Congratulations, Lee Che!