In recognition of the upcoming Transgender Awareness Week, and building off of its Pride Month documentary viewing and panel discussion, the Alliance has released an Action Brief that focuses on
Posts Categorized: Alliance News
Pausing to Look Back and Setting Our Sights Ahead
The past year has been a bit of a rollercoaster for us at the Washington Health Alliance (Alliance), as we have had some highs, lows, and unexpected twists and turns,
Change Happens at the Speed of Trust
I’m pleased to share with you some great news. The Washington Health Alliance was recently recognized as a national leader by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation (best
Purchaser Primary Care Support Letter
January 26, 2021 Sue Birch, Director Judy Zerzan-Thul, MD, Chief Medical Officer Washington State Health Care Authority 626 8th Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98501 Sent Via Electronic Mail Dear Director
2019 Year In Review
The Washington Health Alliance is pleased to announce the release of our 2019 Annual Review.
Announcing New Board Opioid Initiative
I am delighted to share some exciting Alliance news. As a way to support not just reporting on the health care system, but propelling action to improve it, the Alliance’s
Reflections and Resolutions from the Corner Office
I’m proud to say that 2019 brought the Alliance several firsts-in-the-nation and in our state. We: reported on the wide variation of actual prices for inpatient treatment (including facility and
Previewing the Alliance’s Latest Work
Hospital costs is a big topic these days. It’s not surprising when one-third of our health care dollars go to care in hospitals. And on the consumer side, medical bills
Making our Mission and Vision a Reality
At the Alliance’s Board of Directors retreat last week, we talked a lot about how we define and measure the impact of the Alliance’s work. We know very well that
Washington Moves Closer to A Single All-Payer Claims Database
I am delighted to report that the legislation to move us closer to a single statewide All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) has successfully moved through both houses of the Washington legislature.
Washington Health Alliance Responds to Senate Call for Ways to Address Rising Health Care Costs
March 7, 2019 Via Email The Honorable Lamar Alexander 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Alexander, Thank you for the opportunity to provide recommendations to help
All-Alliance Meeting: Monday, March 11 — Making Health Care More Affordable for Employers and Individuals
Reducing waste and making health care affordable—these are issues that engender more questions than answers. But I’m happy to report there is some encouraging news. We are fortunate to have
US Senator Patty Murray Has High Praise for Work of the Alliance at Senate Hearing
“The Alliance has been an incredible advocate for quality and value in healthcare and has taken on very impressive projects to increase transparency and arm our patients, employers and
July 2018 Letter from the Executive Director: Hospital Value Report
In May, the Alliance released “Hospital Value in Washington State” – the first report in the state and one of the few nationally – that combines scores on hospital quality,
June 2018 Letter from the Deputy Director: Meeting Safety and Quality Targets
Nancy Guinto is on a well-deserved vacation, so this month’s letter is from the Alliance’s deputy director, Susie Dade. Just a couple of states away, Covered California – the state’s
New Report Ranks Washington Hospitals on Quality, Patient Experience, and Cost
First report in the state to publicly report on all three elements of hospital value Findings show that higher cost does not necessarily mean higher quality care SEATTLE – The
May 2018 Letter from the Executive Director: Moving Beyond Data
“A database is just a database unless you can actually take it to action.” I made that statement when I spoke at the National Employer Summit last month and I
April 2018 Letter from the Executive Director: Taking Action on Health Waste Calculator Results
In February, the Alliance released “First, Do No Harm,” our report on unnecessary health care in Washington state. The report used the MedInsight Health Waste Calculator to quantify wasteful care
Puget Sound Energy and SEIU 775 Benefits Group to submit data to Alliance’s APCD
The Washington Health Alliance is excited to announce that Puget Sound Energy and SEIU 775 Benefits Group have agreed to become data suppliers for the Alliance’s voluntary All-Payer Claims Database
An Exciting Night at the Leaders in Health Care Awards
Last Thursday, Seattle Business magazine hosted a gala at Bell Harbor International Conference Center for their 2018 Leaders in Health Care Awards. It was an exciting and inspiring evening, and