Universal healthcare.
By bill or by ballot.
✓ Pass a bill
✓ Put it on the ballot
✓ Work with the Commission
✓ Demand federal support
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The Washington Health Trust was first introduced to the public 2018 as a ballot initiative and then introduced into the legislature the following year. Since then we have organized town halls across the state, presented to the state's Universal Health Care Commission, and demanded federal support for our work. All of our campaigns have contributed to our growth and bring us closer to universal healthcare every day.
The Washington Legislature
The Washington Health Trust is active legislation in both the state House and Senate.
Senate Bill 5233 was introduced by Senator Bob Hasegawa and cosponsored by 11 of the 49 members of the Senate. In order to advance it must be called for a public hearing and advanced through the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, chaired by Senator Annette Cleveland.
House Bill 1455 was introduced by Representatives Lisa Parshley and Shaun Scott and cosponsored by 17 of the 98 members of the House. In order to advance it must be called for a public hearing and advanced through the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, chaired by Representative Dan Bronoske.
The Universal Health Care Commission
Washington established a permanent Universal Health Care Commission (UHCC) in 2021 comprising 13 members appointed by the governor and legislature. The UHCC is responsible for recommending a universal healthcare system with a unified financing system to the legislature. The UHCC meets monthly and allows for public comments via email, over Zoom, or in Olympia.
The Ballot Initiative
Washington citizens can collect signatures to put legislation onto the ballot to be voted into law directly. It takes about 400,000 signatures to make the ballot and then a majority vote to pass. Whole Washington is working to run a ballot initiative campaign as soon as we are ready to succeed and is focused on building a stronger coalition, raising funding for staff, and building regional teams across the state.
United States Congress
Whole Washington demands federal action to establish universal healthcare in Washington and across the United States. There are two federal policies (with versions in both the House and Senate) that we see as most relevant to our work.
The Medicare for All Act (M4A) is the national version of the Washington Health Trust and would provide comprehensive public health coverage for all U.S. residents.
The State Based Universal Health Care Act (SBUHCA) would make it easier for states like Washington to establish statewide universal systems by making it easier to integrate federal programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act) and federal money with state programs.
Other campaigns
- Our business outreach page
- Labor Campaign for Single Payer – a national organization focused on building labor support
- Patients Over Profits – a clean money pledge from National Nurses United
- Medicare for All Resolutions – a campaign to pass city council resolutions from Public Citizen