Leading health system improvement

The Washington Health Alliance brings together those who give, get and pay for health care to create a high-quality, affordable system for the people of Washington state.

The Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that shares the most reliable data on health care quality and value in the state to help providers, patients, employers and union trusts make better decisions about health care. We set expectations for community performance on evidence-based practices that improve health while reducing waste and cost.

We work together to build trust among those who give, get and pay for health care to create change in the system that benefits everyone.

Through innovative strategies and initiatives, we help the entire health care system—from exam room to board room—focus on improving quality and value. We are committed to being the catalyst for change for the health care system in Washington.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

The Washington Health Alliance is committed to becoming an inclusive and anti-racist organization. We pledge to create an environment where all employees and members, regardless of skin color, culture, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or age, feel valued and have opportunities for growth. We commit to identify, discuss, expose and challenge inequities, including structural racism, in healthcare systems across Washington.

As part of this commitment, the Alliance is providing this curated list of suggestions from our members and staff that may support you and your organization’s efforts to address inequities and racism.

Our Mission

To prepare and challenge our multi-stakeholder alliance organizations to identify and choose actions that will improve healthcare value through improving clinical quality, driving affordable total cost trends and optimizing health outcomes across all communities​.

Our Vision

The Washington Health Alliance will be recognized as the preeminent, independent trusted organization providing actionable insights which improve clinical care, impact market dynamics and results in affordable, equitable access with an improved healthcare experience for all Washingtonians.

Our History

The Washington Health Alliance was formed in 2004 and was formerly known as the Puget Sound Health Alliance. Motivated by the desire to stem the rising cost of health coverage for public employees, then King County Executive Ron Sims was the driving force behind its formation. The Alliance’s creation came about through recommendations from King County’s Health Advisory Task Force, which was formed in 2003 to address rapidly rising health care costs. This task force brought together Dr. Ed Wagner from the MacColl Institute, Dr. Alvin Thompson from the University of Washington and benefits representatives from purchasers, providers and academic experts to reduce the misuse of care and improve quality. Sims was joined by Margaret Stanley, who became the Alliance’s first executive director.

Since the Alliance’s founding in 2004, membership has grown to include more than 150 employers, union trusts, health plans, hospitals and physician groups, government agencies, community-based organizations, educational institutions and pharmaceutical companies.

Our History

Our Staff

The Alliance has an executive director and ten staff members, who together guide the Quality Improvement Committee (QIC), Purchaser Affinity Group, Consumer Education Committee (CEC), Health Economics Committee and other committees. They convene and facilitate meetings with participating organizations, develop and implement initiatives and help drive the change toward value-based purchasing in Washington.

Meet Our Staff