Healthcare
Healthcare is not a privilege or commodity; we organize to secure healthcare as a fundamental right for everyone.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the inequities and disparities throughout our healthcare system; medical treatment is often out of reach for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, immigrants (especially non-citizens), people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. Thousands of people throughout our state struggle with insurmountable medical debt, avoid doctors out of fear of steep bills and die too soon from preventable diseases. We must adopt a universal healthcare system now.
Committed to Universal Coverage
WashingtonCAN organizes individuals and communities across our state to take action and support legislative efforts to:
Achieve universal health care in WA State and our nation
Improve health care affordability and access, while driving down escalating industry profits and controlling prices
Advance equity and address social determinants of health, with a particular focus on reducing racial disparities
Defend access to health care through existing public programs, including staving off privatization and monopolization in our current health care system, while working toward a universal health care system
Healthcare Policy
The Keep Our Care Act
WashingtonCAN has worked diligently alongside coalition partners to advance the Keep Our Care Act (SB 5241/HB 1263). This bill would establish a system of public oversight to ensure that vital services, especially for our most vulnerable, would remain intact and protected from price hikes.
Health Equity for Immigrants
In 2022, Washington state secured a landmark waiver from the federal government allowing the state as of January 2024 to provide all Washington residents access to purchase health insurance through the Washington Health Plan Finder, regardless of documentation status. With encouragement from of our many members and the help of our allies WAISN and NoHLA, the 2023 Legislature approved the conference budget funding Apple Health coverage for undocumented adults with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level beginning in July 2024. WashingtonCAN continues to advocate for increased funding for immigrant health equity in coalition spaces.
Healthcare Accountability
Universal Health Care Commission
In 2021, the Washington state Legislature established the Universal Health Care Commission (UHCC), tasked with designing and implementing a universal healthcare system for all Washington residents while also making immediate and impactful changes to the current system to increase access to high-quality, affordable care.
Part of the Commission’s work is to hear community voices and learn from those with lived experience. WashingtonCAN holds the Commission accountable to this duty by preparing members to deliver influential testimony during Commission hearings and meetings. Sharing their experiences in the current for-profit healthcare system highlights the urgent need for change.
healthcare cost transparency board
In 2020, The Health Care Cost Transparency Board (House Bill 2457) was signed into law, with the purpose of reducing healthcare cost growth and increasing price transparency. To accomplish this, The Health Care Cost Transparency Board is charged with:
Identifying cost trends and cost drivers in the health care system.
Setting a health care cost growth benchmark for providers and payers.
Reporting annually to the Legislature, including providing recommendations for lowering health care costs.
In coalition with HCHR organizations, WashingtonCAN brings consumer voices before the Health Care Cost Transparency Board to balance the outsized influence of hospitals and other healthcare industry interests.
Join Community healthcare Meetings
Grassroots Achievements
2022
Supported legislation lowering healthcare costs (prescription drugs, balance billing) and budget provisos creating pathways to coverage for all adult immigrants.
2015
Led a campaign against Swedish-Providence hospitals in 2015 when they failed to notify patients in need of their charity care programs.
2010
Mobilized communities to pressure lawmakers to pass the Affordable Care Act making healthcare more accessible and affordable to millions of Americans throughout the country.
John Godfrey
Lead Community Organizer
Have you felt the burdens of our broken healthcare system? We want to hear from you.
All Health Care Cost Transparency Board meetings are public meetings, and members of the public are welcome and encouraged to share their input. All feedback is shared with board members.