Alliance Blog

It is clear that approving vaccines is just the start of a very complicated process to get them administered. In our state as in many others, vaccine supplies are short, logistics are unpredictable, and getting vaccines administered to people continues to be a challenge. Creating high-volume distribution sites is a high priority for King County ...

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 Birch and Dr. Zerzan-Thul, We write this letter, in partnership with the Purchaser Business Group on Health (formerly the Pacific Business Group on Health) and ...

By Washington Health Alliance’s Karen Johnson and Bree Collaborative’s Ginny Weir Entering a new year is often a time for reflection and renewal. The first few weeks of 2021 have provided much to reflect upon – as if 2020 had not already provided ample opportunity for self-reflection. While the issues are many and the solutions ...

We have a tradition in the Alliance office, the “ringing of the bell.” Whenever we have a significant achievement, we ring a bell and gather together for just a moment to appreciate it. Over the last year, the bell has been ringing virtually and I would like to highlight some of the successes in 2020, ...

This month, we’re excited to welcome Boulder Care, Bristol Myers Squibb, Collective Innovative Solutions, LLC, Elevate Health, Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health (ACH), Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Northwest Permanente as the newest members of the Alliance.   At Boulder Care, participants and caregivers make all the important decisions together. Their clinicians, peer coaches, and ...

As Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Washington state and providers ready for administering the first doses as part of the state’s distribution plan, Washington State Health Officer and Chief Science Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy takes a moment to speak with Washington Health Alliance Executive Director Nancy Giunto. Dr. Lofy says the state will receive about ...

The Washington Health Alliance (Alliance) and Bree Collaborative (Bree) at the Foundation for Health Care Quality are teaming up to encourage everyone involved in the Washington state health care system to act to improve health and health care for all Washingtonians. Bree Chair Dr. Hugh Straley and I asked participants at the close of our ...

This month, we’re excited to welcome Lucid Living and University of Washington Master of Health Administration as the newest members of the Alliance. Lucid Living, LLC Before individuals with psychiatric complications discharge from restrictive settings they are typically set up with living arrangements, outpatient office appointments and other things like that. There is, however, a ...

Results from our recent member survey indicate that many of you are unfamiliar with the Alliance’s Own Your Health website (OYH), which offers consumer-friendly guidance to help people make well-informed decisions about their health care. As a member of the Alliance you have access to the OYH library of resources, including articles, videos, and infographics ...

This month, we’re excited to welcome Unify Consulting as the newest member of the Alliance. Unify Consulting Optimistic Experts without Arrogance Their strategy is culture. Unify Consulting has shed the constraints of conventional consulting to unlock their clients’ potentials. They create an environment where engaged minds and subject matter experts work creatively and collaboratively to ...

I am a firm believer in the power of the collective and in the synergy and success that comes from collaboration across stakeholder groups. It’s not just a founding principle. It’s been an integral part of the Alliance’s mission and approach to work for the past 16 years. Our members are terrific about acknowledging our ...

You often hear me talk about driving our work to action and I’m delighted to share some exciting news on a project that will do just that. The Alliance has been awarded a $350,000 grant by Arnold Ventures to work with self-funded purchasers to improve the value of care delivered across Washington state. Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy ...