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...
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.
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...
Good News for Washington Immigrant Health Privacy
On August 12, 2025, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction in a case brought by Washington, California, and other plaintiff states challenging a new federal practice sharing Medicaid data with immigration enforcement. The court’s decision currently blocks data collected from plaintiff states from being used for immigration enforcement, citing serious concerns about privacy and...
Policy Win: Medical Debt No Longer on WA Credit Reports
Nationally, the federal government and corporations are working hand-in-hand to dismantle many health care consumer protections. A federal judge recently struck down a Biden-era rule that aimed to remove medical debt from credit reports. But here in Washington, people with medical debt will still be protected, thanks to a new state law. We worked with...
Tackling Medical Debt in Washington: Policy & Progress
In a recent article featuring NoHLA’s Co-Executive Director Emily Brice, the bill’s sponsor Sen. Marcus Riccelli explained, “If you wake up and you have a bad day, you end up in the emergency room, that shouldn't impact whether or not you can get a job or get housing." We couldn’t agree more. Medical debt is...
Impact Analysis: May 11th House Health Cuts Proposals by Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means Committees
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, along with the Ways and Means Committee, recently proposed significant cuts to health programs, primarily targeting Medicaid. The proposal, released on May 11, includes measures such as implementing work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks for Medicaid recipients.
Updates from the 2025 WA Legislative Session
The Washington Legislature has reached the half-way mark ... Photo by Charles Lenhardt.