The Pathway to the Universal Health Care Work Group is Official. 

Next Meeting: February 7, 2020, 1-5pm, Thurston Expo Center, Thurston County Fairgrounds RSVP

On May 21, Governor Inslee nudged Washington state onto a pathway to universal healthcare. He authorized $500,000 for the Health Care Authority to convene a work group on establishing a universal health care system in Washington state in the state budget HB 1109. 

Thanks to several HCFA-WA amendments included in the budget line item, the work group will consist of a broad range of stakeholders with expertise in the health care financing and delivery systems. It will include patients, labor, insurance, healthcare providers and facilities, patient advocates, and many more interest groups.

First Step to Universal Health Care. Although the work group flew in under the radar, the consequences are significant. Among other directives, the work group must study and make recommendations to the legislature on how to create, implement, maintain, and fund a universal health care system. We will be working to establish the very foundation of a single-payer healthcare system for Washingtonians.

Work Group Members

Work Group Roster

Work Group Meetings

Past Meetings

2. December 9: Second Work Group Meeting > Meeting materials.
Read our Report on the December meeting.

Watch the meeting.
Public comment period extended through December 30, 5 pm PT!

1. September 20: First Work Group Meeting > Meeting materials.
Read our takeaways.

Watch the meeting. The Health Coverage presentation is at 1:06:16 and the WSIPP Report begins at 2:21:00.
Public comment closed Friday, September 27 at 5 p.m. (Pacific) 

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Future Meetings

The Health Care Authority has revised the original schedule of meetings. There are now two fewer meetings scheduled.

* shows changes to original schedule

All scheduled meetings are from 1-5 pm.

3) Friday, February 7, 2020, Thurston Expo Center, Thurston County Fairgrounds - RSVP > Meeting Materials
4) Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Seattle, TBD
5) Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Spokane, TBD
6) Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Olympia, TBD
7) September 2020, Olympia, TBD*
8) Thursday, October 15, 2020, Olympia, TBD

Blog Posts on the Work Group

Updated December 18, 2019