WSI Goes to Olympia to Lobby

Health Trust or Bust

By Chris Mrak

WSI was in Olympia to lobby for universal health care on Jan.12, the first day of this legislative session. Our members urged State legislators to support the “Washington Health Trust” (WHT) – universal healthcare proposed by Whole Washington and its allies, including WSI’s Healthcare Team.

Led by Healthcare Team members Parie and Jen, the WSI group joined others at the Whole Washington tent outside the State Capitol building. WSI brought 12 signs made and waterproofed against the rain by member Dona. The signs had different messages supporting universal healthcare and were placed around the perimeter of the tent to advertise the effort.  

Editor’s note: A recent WSI Spotlight interview of Jen and her work on WHT can be found in our Spotlight Section.

Since this legislative session is only 60 days long, time is of the essence to urge legislators to support SB 5233 and HB 1445, establishing the WHT, as well as SB 5955 that de-privatizes the State Medicaid/Apple Care administration. Such legislation must pass through the healthcare, finance, and rules committees before it can be brought to a floor vote.  

WSI members and allies met with Senator Emily Alvarado, a co-sponsor of SB 5233 (WHT). She also pledged support for SB 5955 (De-Privatizing Medicaid), which she said would save our state one billion dollars per year. Sen. Alvarado has introduced SB 5993, a bill restricting interest and time periods for collecting on medical debt. She promised to not accept campaign contributions over $200 from healthcare insurers.  

Although Rep. Joe Fitzgibbons, D-34, was unavailable to meet, his legislative aide talked with the WSI constituents.

Fellow constituent lobbyists associated with Whole Washington and/or sister Indivisible organizations included Alice from the 32nd District, who has seen healthcare “inside and outside” as both a nurse and a patient. She advocates for WHT to “cover more people and save the state money.” She specifically opposes “out-of-network” barriers imposed by HMOs that she says has caused delayed care for desperate patients. She urged others to let their legislators know that WHT “is important to us”.  

Judith from the 22nd District has a granddaughter with kids and no insurance because “even the ACA is too expensive.” She said: “Kids need healthy parents,” and “if legislators don’t hear from you, they won’t know it’s a problem.”

Chelo from the 36th District focused on SB 5953 to force private middlemen out of the State’s Medicaid/AppleCare system. She noted that this proposal is based on a Connecticut model, where that state saved four billion dollars by managing their own medicaid system. She urged everyone to call their state legislators, volunteer for organizations like Whole Washington, and talk to neighbors, because “no one's healthcare should depend on their income.” For more information about this model she suggests: “Removing the Middlemen from Medicaid and Medicare Disadvantage” by Physicians for a National Health Program.  

Whole Washington Executive Director Andre Stackhouse said he was in Olympia the first day of the legislative session because healthcare is “a fast-moving train wreck” and the WHT promises “the most comprehensive, quick, cost-effective coverage decoupled from employment”. In addition to contacting legislators and friends, he invites people to wear the distinctive red Whole Washington T-shirt.  

The WSI Healthcare Team and Whole Washington intend to return to Olympia during this 60-day legislative session to impress upon legislators that their constituents strongly support a universal healthcare system for this State.

A calendar setting for the lobbying schedule is available at wholewashington.org. They urge people who cannot lobby in person to send comments in support of pending bills via wholewashington.org, which has appropriate links. 

“By Bill or By Ballot” is the strategy for WHT.  In the event the legislature does not pass the WHT, a referendum effort will be mounted to get the WHT on the 2028 ballot and hopefully enacted by popular vote.

Anyone interested in getting involved with WSI’s Healthcare Team can find further information at [LINK].