Alliance Blog

To Our Members & Supporters:

The Washington Health Alliance is here to drive health care system change that delivers measurably better outcomes and value for all Washingtonians. We do that by acting as a collaborative force, bringing people and organizations together around shared problems and actionable solutions. That work only works when the WHA stays connected to the members we serve.

This year, our focus is straightforward: broadening WHA, growing the membership base, and building a stronger two-way dialogue between our staff and our members. The WHA is not the staff. It is the members. Our job is to support you, bring forth the right conversations, and help turn good intent into measurable progress.

Since moving into the role of Executive Director six months ago, I have been meeting with members and supporters past and present and I have learned a lot. Now we need to hear more. Not just from the most active organizations, but from a wider range of employers, purchasers, providers, plans, and community partners across Washington. If we want better results, we need more voices at the table and a clearer feedback loop on what is working, what is not, and where the WHA can be most useful.

We know the environment is tough. Many organizations are facing serious economic pressure. The system is fragmented, and it can feel hard to find common solutions. We think the best way through that is to stay grounded in what is actionable: get the right people in the room, focus on the problems that matter, and use the right information at the right time to support real actions.

Data is a big part of what we do, but our goal is not to present data and stop there. We use data to identify patterns, test assumptions, and point to options that can be implemented.

We want to help members answer their pressing questions, and with those answers bring the right people at the table to find solutions and collectively act.

Here is what you can expect from us this year and how you can act today

First, more regular opportunities for members to shape priorities. We want a true dialogue, not a one-time check-in. That includes clearer ways for you to tell us what you need, what you are seeing, and what would help you take action. Let us know what is most important to you and how we can help.

Second, continued convening around issues that require collaboration. No single organization can solve affordability, quality, and access alone. The value of the WHA is creating a space where different perspectives can line up around shared goals and move toward solutions that will drive market change. Join us for an upcoming event.

Third, a push to grow and strengthen membership. If you are already a member, thank you. Your engagement is what makes this work real. If you are considering joining, we would like you to be involved. A broader WHA means better insight, stronger partnership, and more momentum behind system change that benefits communities across Washington. Help us amplify WHA among your network. 

Fourth, a stronger link between insight and action. You will see more emphasis on actionable solutions, not just analysis. When members raise barriers, we want to understand what is behind them and what it will take to reduce them. When we see an opportunity, we want to support the next steps and track whether the change improves outcomes and value over time. Reach out to Nick Jackal, Director of Member Engagement. 

Our vision is ambitious and practical: fully accessible, high-value care with top-quartile performance. We know that does not happen through a single report, a single meeting, or a single initiative. It happens when the right people commit to shared work and keep moving toward what is making a difference. 

If you take anything from this, let it be simple: we want the WHA to feel like it belongs to you, because it does. We work for the members. We want to make it easy for you to guide this work and to see the impact of your time and input. 

In the coming months, when we ask for your perspective, I hope you will take us up on it. Tell us what decisions you are trying to make. Tell us where you need better information. Tell us what would make collaboration more useful for your organization and the people you serve. 

Thank you for being part of the WHA and for playing a crucial part in what comes next.  

Sincerely, 

Denise Giambalvo 
Executive Director 
Washington Health Alliance