What's New
Federal Basic Health Program
Health care reform gives states new options to expand health coverage, such as the "Federal Basic Health Program" (modeled after Washington State's current Basic Health program). Washington State is considering adopting this option in the 2012 Legislative Session. Read our [link to PDF] study of affordabilty in health coverage; to learn why the Federal Basic Health Program is the best way to increase coverage for lower-income residents in our state.
NoHLA Victory for Low-Income Immigrants in Basic Health Disenrollment Case!
In a significant court victory for NoHLA, co-counsel Riddell Williams, and our clients, federal judge James Robart granted our request for a Preliminary Injunction in a class action lawsuit challenging the disenrollment of immigrants from the state's Basic Health program in March 2011. The judge held that Washington State's actions in excluding these immigrants was likely to violate both the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
Over 11,000 immigrants disenrolled in March will be offered the opportunity to re-enroll in early November, and "lawfully present" immigrants will once again be eligible for the program.
Read our media release and community information/training materials on implementation of the decision.
News articles:
NoHLA Legislative Summary
Click herefor NoHLA's Summary of the 2011 regular session on bills that passed the Washington Legislature that relate to health care access. A special session to address budget issues starts November 28.
Will Washington State Budget Cuts Affect You? Washington State is in a budget crisis. The Legislature just adopted a biennial budget that contained many cuts relating to health programs. This publication has more information. This has been a very difficult session, with many devastating cuts to low-income health programs and services. Thankfully, the Legislature was able to avoid other cuts and even expanded eligibility for family planning coverage under Medicaid (yielding a savings to the state), though it cut other family planning services. NoHLA is interested in hearing about the experiences of people affected by the cuts, so we can describe to policy makers what effects they are having.
We will continue to advocate to restore needed programs and services.
NoHLA Submits Comments On Regulating Coverage Sold Through Association Health Plans
Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA) and Sprague Israel Giles submitted comments to the federal Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight supporting the regulation and oversight of Association Health Plans (AHPs), a type of health insurance product that is commonly sold in Washington to employers and business associations. The Affordable Care Act has the potential to improve the ability of all residents to obtain adequate and affordable healthcare, but for this to happen, it is vitally important that AHPs be governed by the same rules as health insur ance products that will be sold in the upcoming health insurance exchanges. To learn more about how a failure to regulate AHPs may affect all consumers, including both those in the exchanges and those insured through AHPs, read our comments here.
Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to achieve a seamless and equitable health care system, in which individuals are assured of basic rights and protections, and continuity of care, regardless of who they are and the type of health insurance they have.
Our work focuses on issues of concern to low-income individuals and families, particularly in Washington State. Please see NoHLA Advocacy for information about NoHLA's recent work.
NoHLA's work involves:
- Legal consultation to attorneys and advocates on public health insurance programs
- Legal and policy analysis
- Training and community education
- Legislative and administrative advocacy
The Seattle Foundation, one of our supporters, has developed a toolkit for donors. You can go directly to our page or click on the button to check out the toolkit.
"I am a Medicaid and Medicare recipient and a grassroots activist and leader. NoHLA represents people who otherwise would not have a voice in the legislative and rule making process. NoHLA is a leader in the fight for a better health care system, which is so desperately needed." ~ Suzanne C. Stauffer
Save Washington Health Programs Video
The Basic Health program is the only affordable option for over 100,000 individuals. Currently over 93,000 people are on the BH waiting list. Many have serious health issues but no insurance. They live on the precipice, just steps away from potential disaster.
View the video that we produced and have sent with a message to all legislators, the Governor, and other policymakers to remind them that their constituents depend on Medicaid, Basic Health, and other publicly-funded health programs.
Please help us distribute this widely.