Formed in November, 2016, Whole Washington is a grassroots coalition of healthcare professionals and volunteers from all over Washington State. We organize and support efforts at both the national and state level. The ultimate goal is a national, single payer system, and we endorse Medicare for All.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to pass universal healthcare, meaning publicly funded healthcare available to everyone without financial barriers. We are energized to use the power of our collective voices, the collaboration of partners, and the tools of democracy, including the initiative process, to make lasting and transformative change.
Vision
Our vision is a fully functioning, responsive, and equitable healthcare system that advances social justice, fosters dignity, and promotes the health of individuals and society.
The Washington Health Trust (WHT)
This legislation accomplishes three goals:
- Creates public options that any Washington State resident or company can enroll in for coverage.
- Generates revenue via taxes to pay for our healthcare expenses.
- Gives existing entities the authority and responsibility to transition to and maintain a statwide universal healthcare system.
Instead of multiple private insurance companies and multiple programs, a public trust will cover our healthcare expenses. We’ll eliminate the bureaucracy of the private health insurance and save money while improving health outcomes. All services requiring a medical professional are included with no financial barriers –no copays, fees or deductibles. Dental, vision, reproductive care, mental health services, and more are fully covered. Our healthcare will not be tied to employment, age, marital status, immigration status, incarceration status, or pre-existing condition. Everyone is covered. No one is left out.
NOTE: We do not have an active bill in the legislature at this time. If you're a candidate or elected official and interested in introducing/co-sponsoring a bill in either the House or Senate, please endorse Whole Washington and let us know!
Past Legislation - The Whole Washington Health Trust
- Introduced in January 2023
- Reintroduced in the following session
- Sponsored by State Senators Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Nguyen, Stanford.
- Was not let out of committee.
Initiative 1471
- Filed in March 2022
- Signature gathering began April 2022
- Did not meet the threshold of 405,000 needed by December 30, 2022
Initiative 1362
- Filed in April 2021
- Campaign suspended due to Covid, August 2021
Senate Bill 5204
- Introduced in January 2021
- Re-introduced in the 2022 session
- Sponsored by State Senators: Hasegawa, Kuderer, Liias, Lovelett, Nguyen, Stanford, Wilson, C.
- Was not let out of committee
Senate Bill 5222
- Introduced in January 2019
- Sponsored by State Senators Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser.
- Was not let out of committee.
Initiative 1600
- Filed in January 2018
- Based on the Washington Health Security Trust (WHST) bill
- Included a financing plan based on an economic analysis by Dr. Gerald Friedman.
- 103,000 signatures via 100% volunteer effort but did not meet the threshold of 260,000 needed.
- Received support from LD’s, organizations, campaigning candidates, and elected officials. See the I-1600 Endorsements here.