Current Priorities
WAHA is a non-partisan group committed to acting locally and advocating at the regional, state and federal levels for sound healthcare policies. Our goal is to both educate and advise elected officials on health policy concerns
and serve as a community based resource on the effects of specific legislative proposals.
During the 2005 Legislative session, a budget proviso called for a study to review approaches to providing incentives for private physicians to maintain involvement in the community safety net care. Included in this approach considering the cost and impact of B & O Tax Credits for physician practices that provide services Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured patients.
WAHA, in collaboration with Communities Connect, believes that the key to affordable health coverage for small employers that reduces the number of uninsured, improves access, and controls costs is dependent upon a partnership that combines employer contributions, employee contributions, and state subsidies.
The Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access has organized the Medicare Study Group to identify and better understand the factors that are negatively impacting Medicare access in Whatcom County, Washington State, and the country with the goal of identifying strategies to increase awareness of these issues, improve public policy, and improve local access.
SCHIP Renewal
Past Priorites
Blue Ribbon Commission
The Washington State Legislature organized the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs & Access (BRC) in acknowledgement that our “health care system does not provide accessible, affordable, quality health care to all Washingtonians.” The BRC requested that interested citizens and organizations submit proposals on how to improve the state’s health care system. In response, Communities Connect has proposed a blueprint that promotes three phases of community development that builds on implementation of community based activities (“8 Critical Activities”) which create the local capacity and the relationships needed to extract unnecessary costs, better coordinate care and then apply those savings to ensure better health for everyone.
_________________
For more information on any of these legislative priorities contact Sue Sharpe.
