The high cost of health care is getting a lot of attention these days and NoHLA is working on many different fronts as we gear up for the next legislative session. 

• We’re making headlines.  Last week, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) announced a 9% average increase in health insurance rates for the individual market. Our response with allies from our Fair Health Prices Washington campaign was on the front page of The Seattle Times, aired on Northwest News Radio, and received media coverage across the state. But we can’t do it without you–help us take on the health care industry and lower costs by sharing your story.  
• We’re advancing policy changes that matter. For the last year, NoHLA has served as one of the only consumer representatives on an OIC workgroup about surprise balance billing by ground ambulance companies. NoHLA and allies are leading the consumer push to ban this kind of abusive billing in Washington State. Stay tuned for the results of the workgroup’s recommendations to the Legislature, coming up in October! 
• We’re reaching people locally and nationwide. Last month, NoHLA’s Deputy Director Emily Brice spoke to a group of bipartisan legislators from around the country about the urgent need to take action to lower health prices at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit. Last week, Fair Health Prices Washington allies from the Patient Coalition of WA and Economic Opportunity Institute connected to a Spokane-based audience at the State of Reform Inland NW panel on rural health care affordability challenges. At the same conference, the Governor’s Office called efforts to target high prices a “priority” for this session.