Universal healthcare
is sensible public policy.
The Washington Health Trust covers every Washingtonian while saving the state billions of dollars. Here's how it works.
The Washington Health Trust is our statewide universal healthcare policy that has been introduced to the public both as bills and ballot initiatives. It would create a universal public insurance program that all Washington residents would be eligible to enroll in to receive comprehensive coverage free at the point of service. It includes a full funding mechanism and has a four-year transition plan. Studies estimate it would save Washington billions of dollars.
How it’s funded
The Washington Health Trust is fully funded through progressive public financing while covering all point-of-service costs for seeking care. It is able to offer this to all Washingtonians while saving the state an estimated $5-13 billion annually in total healthcare spending by eliminating administrative waste, fraud, and cost-inflation incentivized within the for-profit insurance industry.
What’s covered
The Washington Health Trust would create a public health insurance system that any Washington resident, employer, or healthcare provider would be eligible to participate in. All medically necessary care would be fully covered by the comprehensive Essential Benefits Package. You, your family, your employees, and your medical needs are covered.
Public opinion polls
Polls indicates a majority of Washingtonians regardless of political party reject our market-based employer-sponsored healthcare system and demand change from legislators in the form of universal healthcare.
Studies and reports
There is a significant academic consensus that universal public healthcare systems like the Washington Health Trust are the most cost effective ways to achieve universal coverage and fair healthcare outcomes.
Washington’s Universal Healthcare History
Washington’s universal healthcare movement goes back to at least 1993 with the passage of the Health Services Act. Unfortunately it was mostly repealed by 1995 before implementation as political powers shifted both nationally and in Washington. The concept was developed further by our allies Health Care for All Washington who developed and introduced a new universal healthcare policy called the Washington Health Security Trust which they introduced to the public as both ballot initiatives and bills between 1999 and 2017.
The Washington Health Trust of today was originally based on the Washington Health Security Trust and first introduced to the public in 2018 as I-1600, an initiative to the people. It debuted in the Senate the following year by Senator Bob Hasegawa. It was introduced into the House by Representative Lisa Parshley in 2025. It has undergone continuous community feedback, development, and reintroduction but still shares its core design with the original Washington Health Security Trust.
For a full timeline of different versions and introductions of the Washington Health Trust please go to:
www.wholewashington.org/text