Alliance Blog

Last week, we attended the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions annual conference in Washington, DC.  The National Alliance brings together 45 coalitions from around the country to address topics of concern for everyone.  Most of these coalitions are purchaser-based ranging from non-profits, like WHA, to cooperatives and for-profit organizations.  This year was no different ...

Equitable access to high-value, appropriate care is core to the mission of the Washington Health Alliance and its 185 multi-stakeholder member organizations. However, a September ruling from a federal judge in Texas on a lawsuit attacking the Affordable Care Act may erode the progress our health care system has made toward that goal. We are ...

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 addressing barriers to behavioral health care for the LGBTQ+ community. Across Washington, LGBTQ+ population is estimated at 5.2% and represents about 6% of the workforce ...

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Washington’s state lawmakers expressed clear intentions to further protect reproductive rights, including access to abortion. In late October, a group of lawmakers joined Gov. Jay Inslee to highlight a legislative agenda for the coming 2023 session that will focus on protecting those ...

Earlier this month, the Alliance and its partner, the Foundation for Health Care Quality (FHCQ), hosted its fourth webinar in the “Change In Action” series that looks at how value is paid for in health care. The hourlong event, “Blowing up the Value Equation: Rethinking Value and How We Get There,” includes a discussion between ...

Last month I became the new executive director of the Washington Health Alliance (WHA) after having supported the Alliance for years as a former Board member, physician participant, and health plan leader. It is an honor to serve with such a dedicated staff and Board of Directors on the crucial work of improving the health of all ...

For 22 years, Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA) has been working to improve access to health care for all Washington residents to advance health as a human right. NoHLA is at the forefront of efforts to ensure Washington State’s new health system attracts enrollees and that it works for all residents, including those who are ...

Quilted Health is a dedicated team of Certified Nurse Midwives, Licensed Midwives and Client Care Professionals. They partner with the best birth doulas, obstetricians, wellness providers and community organizations to provide personalized, whole-person care. Learn more about Quilted Health.

In honor of Pride Month, the Washington Health Alliance hosted a screening of Between the Shades, a documentary by director Jill Salvino. For those who were not able to attend and those who would like to watch it again, the Alliance has put together a video that includes the conversation and interviews with panelists and attendees. Please ...

I am delighted to report that the Washington Health Alliance is continuing its efforts to understand where Washington state is spending its health care dollars. Today we released our Total Cost of Care Report. Using medical claims and enrollment data from its voluntary All-Payer Claims Database from multiple payers, the Alliance combined the cost of ...

More than 100 million American adults have high blood pressure (a reading of 130/80mm Hg or higher) but only about half actually have the condition under control. High blood pressure was linked to 70% of all major cardiovascular events in the U.S. and deaths from high blood pressure are on the increase; between 2009 and ...

On June 10th, we received a letter from the Washington State Health Care Authority terminating contract negotiations with the Washington Health Alliance to serve as the Lead Organization for WA-APCD (LO). We began negotiations on October 24, 2019. I believe this is a very unfortunate outcome for our state. Throughout the negotiations, the Alliance was ...