Alliance Blog

If it is true what they say, that “data get better with use,” then we are truly fortunate here in Washington. The latest edition of the Washington Health Alliance’s Community Checkup report is our biggest ever with results on more than 110 performance measures for 1,978 clinics, 376 medical groups, 123 hospitals, 16 health plans, ...

When Susie Dade asked me whether she could write the letter to the membership for the April edition of News from the Alliance, she thought she would have the last word. Little did she know that I also planned to pay tribute to her in the same issue! Susie and I have worked very closely ...

A farewell message by Susie Dade, Deputy Director, Washington Health Alliance I have spent about 15 years and more than 30,000 hours in service to the Washington Health Alliance. This has been my second home since arriving on the Alliance’s doorstep, and a very good home it has been. I have found the Alliance to ...

Please join us in welcoming Karen Johnson, the newest member of the Alliance team. While we had hoped Karen would begin her new role in the office with the rest of us, she is joining us remotely given the current conditions and office restrictions. Karen has jumped in and is actively involved with the team ...

The Washington Health Alliance is pleased to announce the release of our 2019 Annual Review.

This month, we’re excited to welcome Global to Local, Heron Therapeutics, Landmark Health and Vimly Benefit Solutions as the newest members of the Alliance. About Global to Local Global to Local’s mission is to advance health equity and improve health in U.S. communities through application of best practices from around the world. They develop programs ...

This month, we’re excited to welcome Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) as the newest member of the Alliance. About SWACH Southwest Accountable Community of Health is a nonprofit working to improve community health and equity in Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties, partners with numerous clinical and community-serving organizations to accomplish their mission. Their partners ...

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Seattle Business magazine awards gala to recognize Health Care Leaders in the state. It was wonderful to see Alliance members and allies, and to take a moment to acknowledge the important work we do. This year, the Alliance recognized outstanding performers from our third edition of ...

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 Board of Directors has committed to an initiative to reduce opioid prescribing in our state, focusing on appropriate use of opioid prescriptions for low-back pain ...

This month, we’re excited to welcome Health Management Associates as the newest member of the Alliance. About Health Management Associates Health Management Associates (HMA) is a leading independent national research and consulting firm in the healthcare industry. Founded in 1985, today they are more than 200 consultants strong and still growing. Their team comes from ...

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 physician charges) not only across Washington, but within individual hospitals; revealed the underlying reasons why there was a decline in inpatient spending with our statewide ...

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 are getting national attention. Just look at NPR and Kaiser Health News’ Bill of the Month series, Vox’s reporting on ER bills, and hospital collection ...