WA approves double-digit rate hike for individual health insurance plans
From The Seattle Times article, "WA approves double-digit rate hike for individual health insurance plans," by Jessica Fu: The state insurance commissioner on Wednesday approved a 22.2% average rate increase for individual health plans in 2027 — an announcement that set off alarm bells from consumer advocates and policymakers over the ballooning cost of coverage....
Seattle Nonprofit Sues Trump Administration to Protect Immigrant Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melissa Warner August 28, 2026 206-240-7629 Seattle Nonprofit Sues Trump Administration to Protect Immigrant Care Medicaid cuts for SSI recipients are unlawful, argues social services provider SEATTLE, WA – Nonprofit leaders in Washington state are suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr....
Rising Health Costs Are Forcing More Americans to Forego Care
From American Community Media article, "Rising Health Costs Are Forcing More Americans to Forego Care" by Sunita Sohrabji: Consumer advocates warn that millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance are facing another year of steep premium hikes. They are then forced to choose between necessities such as food and house payments versus health...
Seattle Roundtable on Trump’s Cuts to Long-Term Care for Immigrants
Washington elders, immigrants, and people with disabilities are slated to lose their health care and long-term care Oct. 1, 2026, absent additional state action. That's why, on Monday, August 3, 2026, Northwest Health Law Advocates joined SEIU 775, Economic Opportunity Institute, and other No Cuts to Health Care Coalition partners to build awareness and advocate...
National Press Briefing on Proposed Health Insurance Rate Increases
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Northwest Health Law Advocates joined Families USA and consumer advocate partners from key states for a virtual press call to spotlight the rate increases likely to impact 2027 shoppers buying health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Washington state has the highest proposed premium rate increase thus far, averaging...
Request for State Action to Protect Immigrant Care
As part of our efforts to protect health care access in WA, NoHLA and SEIU 775 delivered the following request to Attorney General Nick Brown and colleagues (reflected in CC below the message). The request urges state action to protect immigrant Washingtonians' access to the life-sustaining long-term care they depend on. Without action, nearly 1,500...
Carry Health Justice Forward With Us
by Erin Gaedke NoHLA Development Manager "I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." - Maya Angelou, renowned poet, author, and activist
Apple Health Expansion is Essential to WA
by Lee Che P. Leong, NoHLA Senior Policy Advocate, and Kaitie Dong, Washington State Budget and Policy Center Senior Policy Analyst Cross-posted from the WA Budget and Policy Center blog. Everyone deserves health care, no matter their skin color, ability, income, or immigration status. Apple Health Expansion (AHE) is a program that expands access to...
Board Member Mayra Colazo
Please join us in welcoming Mayra Colazo to the NoHLA Board! Mayra joined the Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA) Board of Directors in July 2026. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Central Washington Disability Resources, where she has been part of the team since March 2016. Mayra brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership,...
Update: Litigation We’ve Been Watching
by Vanessa R. Saavedra, NoHLA Senior Attorney For better or worse, our health care system is a top news item these days. It's hard to keep up! To help increase awareness of what's been happening in the courts, NoHLA compiled updates on federal and state litigation with impacts to care. Here are some of the...