Proposed rules on association health plans and short-term limited duration plans were released earlier this year for public comment. And health care groups did comment —overwhelmingly opposing the rules. A Los Angeles Times analysis found that over 95% of health care group comments expressed serious concerns or opposition to the association health plan rules and...

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been dealt blow after blow by the Trump Administration – but this one really takes the cake! A 20-state lawsuit filed in February argues that the individual mandate repeal renders the ACA unconstitutional. Many expected this lawsuit to be no big deal. But two weeks ago, the Justice Department refused to...

This month, we celebrate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) making a significant difference in the lives of millions of LGBTQ individuals and families. Many have benefited by getting health insurance, being covered as a family, and accessing covered health services, including transition-related care, for the first time. The ACA has helped LGBTQ people get the...

Recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed that premiums are expected to increase 15% in 2019. This increase is on top of the national 34% increase in 2018 – leading to a 54% total premium increase over two years. These increases are primarily due to threats and changes to the ACA by the...

Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, and Utah are the top-ranked states according to the Commonwealth Fund’s 2018 Scorecard on State Health System Performance. The scorecard assesses all 50 states and the District of Columbia on more than 40 measures of access to health care, quality of care, efficiency in care delivery, health outcomes, and income-based health care...

When the Trump Administration ended Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants two years early, many grantees filed lawsuits. Last week, a federal judge ruled that the Administration unlawfully terminated the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (the fourth such decision in recent weeks). In this case, the court ordered the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to...

Last week, Medicaid expansion was approved in Virginia and four states (UT, ID, NE and MT*) will have measures on the ballot this fall. (*Montana’s current expansion is set to expire in 2019, hence the ballot measure to continue the program.) Unfortunately, some red states continue to weaken the Medicaid program with new waivers for...

Eager to learn more about the anticipated public charge rules? Join Protecting Immigrant Families – Washington State for a lunch and learn on June 12, 2018 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm. RSVP here and please spread the word. The event is geared towards ethnic media reporters, leaders and influencers, but is open to all community members...

Vox has been doing in-depth reporting on emergency room hospital costs and their latest report was on surprise billing. The profiled patient went to an in-network emergency room only to receive a nearly $8,000 bill. The article includes this great quote from a researcher: “Even with a PhD in surprise billing, you couldn’t make sure...

A dental provider-type that started in Alaska is paving the way for improved care for the American Indian and Alaska Native population throughout Washington State. During the 2017 legislative session, SB 5079 was approved to allow tribes to access federal money for the use of this dental provider –  dental health aide therapists (DHATs). A...