After six months of anticipation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Treasury announced approval of Washington’s innovation waiver this past Friday – the first in the nation to allow all immigrants access to purchase health and dental plans like other residents. The approval authorizes Washington’s Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) to expand access through Washington Healthplanfinder beginning in 2024.

NoHLA staff have worked tirelessly to collaborate with HBE and members of the Health Equity for Immigrants Campaign (HEIC) to secure this victory and additionally advocate for Washington to support affordability provisions. This spring, the Washington legislature approved $55 million in state subsidies – $5 million of which was contingent on waiver approval – to lower premium costs for people up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

“We applaud Washington’s approval of the Section 1332 waiver application — a decision that lays the groundwork for over 100,000 undocumented immigrants to access vital health care coverage for the first time,” said Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Deputy Director Catalina Velasquez on behalf of the HEIC. “The approval of this federal waiver is the first step toward ensuring equitable access to affordable health care for everyone in our state. We believe all people should have access to health care, and immigration status should never be a barrier to the care a person needs. We look forward to working with state lawmakers and elected officials in the upcoming legislative session to ensure a successful launch and implementation of this essential program, and we will continue to advocate for the codification of permanent health care for all by 2024.”  

The fact sheet, approval letter, and waiver application can be found under “Washington” on the CMS Section 1332 Waivers website. More information from HBE is available here.