Court hearings on the Public Charge rules in early October, and Congressional attempts to block it
Last month, we wrote about the federal government’s adoption of the new “public charge” rules that broaden the grounds for inadmissibility of some immigrants and preventing others from getting Lawful Permanent Resident (“green card”) status. NoHLA and other organizations are developing materials and trainings on these rules to explain what impact they have. We know...
The importance of communication in health care: Language access and disability access
When I applied earlier this year for a summer internship at Northwest Health Law Advocates, I wrote in my cover letter about seeking the opportunity to learn more about the kinds of legal questions and challenges that arise in the areas of health law and policy. As it happens, I spent much of this summer...
What would happen to Medicaid under “Medicare for All” and Public Option plans?
Even as litigation and rulemaking threatens the nation’s progress under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the 2020 presidential campaign has put proposals for the future of health care coverage front and center. The New York Times, CBS News, and National Public Radio were among the news media who led their coverage of the September 12...
The Department of Homeland Security Public Charge Rule is Final. Here’s what you need to know.
TAKE ACTION! Tell Policymakers to Defund the Public Charge Rule and Protect Families: Use this link from the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum to ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 3222, the No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act of 2019, and speak out against this policy. Many immigrants and the people...
Public comments matter!
TAKE ACTION! Comment by September 3 to make the most of Washington’s ACA consumer protections law! This week, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner published new draft rules implementing SHB 1870. Public comments are due September 3. The 2019 legislation adopts in state law several key consumer protections in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA),...
The heat is still on for health civil rights, reproductive health care, and the ACA
Activity threatening federal health care access laws that we profiled last month has not slowed down during this summer’s dog days. We begin with the one that you can TAKE ACTION on, but only until August 13. Comment deadline approaches on anti-discrimination regulations rollback The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes...
The Trump Administration’s attacks on reproductive health, health equity, and the Affordable Care Act
TAKE ACTION! Please thank Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson for defending the ACA and access to family planning! Submit a comment here. — After focusing during winter and spring on an unusually noteworthy Washington State legislative session, we’re looking more closely beyond the Evergreen State and taking stock of federal government activity that seriously threatens...
Welcoming our summer 2019 NoHLA interns
NoHLA is fortunate to host summer interns every year, and this year we have two bright students who have just completed their first year of law school. We’re thrilled to have them join us! Each interviewed the other in order to introduce their colleague to you. Meet Chris! Chris Hightower comes to NoHLA from the...
Washington Legislature moves health care forward, but Medicaid budget is at risk
This year’s Washington Legislature enacted many bills that are intended to improve access to health care – perhaps an unprecedented number – and much other health legislation. We saw progress in improving access to care, including added coverage for immigrants, an effort to address insurance affordability, and bills to advance health equity. Some session highlights,...
Continuing Maternal Mortality Reviews
Very shortly after my maternal “near miss” in 2016, the Washington State Legislature funded a Maternal Mortality Review Panel to take a closer look at maternal deaths in our state. The work was only funded through June of 2020. This year, SB 5425 proposes to make the Maternal Mortality Review Panel permanent and make some...