WA Democrats drop push for business tax to cover Medicaid costs, Washington State Standard
From Washington State Standard article, "WA Democrats drop push for business tax to cover Medicaid costs" by Jake Goldstein-Street: Under Senate Bill 6173, the state would’ve required private companies with over 100 employees to foot the bill for workers with taxpayer-funded coverage. . . . . Amazon and Walmart lead the pack of employers whose...
Legislative Updates: Health Care Bills to Watch
We’re more than halfway through the 2026 state legislative session! There are only 3 weeks left to go in this 60-day session, which is slated to end March 12. This week marked a key milestone: Tuesday was the “first chamber cutoff,” or the date by which policy bills need to have passed out of the...
Mary Bridge leaders cite 2 federal threats behind gender clinic closure, Seattle Times
From Seattle Times article, "Mary Bridge leaders cite 2 federal threats behind gender clinic closure," by Elise Takahama: The decision to shutter a Tacoma pediatric gender clinic has drawn skepticism from some legal experts who say the hospital, though pressured by the Trump administration, acted prematurely. . . . Brice, of Northwest Health Law Advocates...
Policy for All People: 5 Interesting Things I Learned About Legislative Session
I really thought Schoolhouse Rock explained the legislative process. And it does offer a general overview at the federal level. But another process needs our attention, too: our state’s legislative process. Why? Policies have power. The policies passed in each state can help protect us, our neighbors, and the people we care about. They determine...
State budget, 2026 policy priorities, free and low-cost health care resources, and more
All eyes are on the budget, as the Legislature faces an ongoing multi-billion dollar shortfall due to federal cuts, economic instability, and a regressive tax code. Governor Ferguson’s budget proposal reveals the human toll if Washington fails to act boldly. While the Governor avoided some cuts and signaled greater openness to revenue, his budget still...
Health equity Is collective work: Representation without awareness creates bigger problems, The Black Lens
From The Black Lens interview with NoHLA co-executive director, Daphne Smith, "Health equity Is collective work: Representation without awareness creates bigger problems," by April Eberhardt: Representation matters, but representation with awareness matters more. If the process excludes people for unfair and biased reasons, then I have to talk about the system–not just show up as...
New Survey Results, 2026 Premiums, Countdown to Legislative Session, and more
More than 200,000 Washingtonians just got bills for 2026 premiums – many of which have ballooned. One family in Vancouver, WA, shared that their premiums alone will cost over $30,000. This is the reality for many people. It’s what we heard from more than 1,000 Washingtonians surveyed by NoHLA and our Fair Health Prices WA...
A Look Back at 2025
Federal attacks threatened health coverage for 1 in every 20 Washingtonians, and state budget shortfalls placed even more individuals at risk. Our 2025 Year in Review highlights how, with your support, we fended off state health cuts and advanced new patient protections.
Mending Health Care Through Community
We sincerely thank our speakers for sharing their powerful insights, lived experiences, and bold visions for advancing health care justice. Their leadership and advocacy are essential to building a more equitable and inclusive health care system for all. Download the event program packet. Federal Health Care Rollbacks: Washington Legal Strategies (1.5 Law & Legal CLE Credits) Below,...
New Resource: Federal Health Care Changes Hub
Feeling overwhelmed by upcoming changes to Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare, or the ACA Marketplace (WA Healthplanfinder)? NoHLA’s new Federal Health Care Changes Hub is here to help. Our first resource is a clear timeline outlining the key provisions and rollout dates from the June 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule and July’s “One Big Beautiful...