Senate Joint Memorial 8004: Universal Health Care
Senate Joint Memorial (SJM) 8004, introduced during the 2025-2026 regular session of the Washington State Legislature, addresses the pressing issue of universal health care. This bill is sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators, including Sen. Robert Hasegawa, Sen. Bateman, Sen. Lovelett, Sen. Nobles, Sen. Stanford, Sen. Trudeau, Sen. Valdez, and Sen. Wellman.
What you can do to support this bill:
Send a comment in support of SJM 8004 to your legislators here!
SJM 8004 calls on the federal government to:
(1) Create a universal health care program to ensure that every resident of Washington state and our country has timely access to health care services without incurring crippling familial debt;
or
(2) Partner with the state of Washington to reduce barriers and allow the state to successfully implement a universal health system for the people of Washington such as passing legislation similar to HR 6270 (by Rep. Ro Khanna, CA-17) that was introduced in the 118th Congress which will allow states to create their own universal health care programs.
The introduction of SJM 8004 marks a significant step towards addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring every resident has access to affordable, quality healthcare services.
“Universal health care is not just a policy goal; it is a fundamental right for every resident of Washington State,” said Sen. Hasegawa. “With SJM 8004, we are taking a stand for the health and well-being of our communities. This is a critical issue that affects everyone, and we are committed to making it a reality.”
The bill is under review by the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care. At the recent public hearing on January 30, 2025, Whole Washington’s Executive Director Andre Stackhouse spoke favorably in support of the memorial.
Supporters of SJM 8004 believe that providing universal health care will lead to healthier communities, reduce overall healthcare costs, and ensure that no one is left without the care they need. “We are excited to introduce SJM 8004 and look forward to working with our colleagues, health care professionals, and residents to make universal health care a reality,” added Sen. Bateman. “This memorial represents a commitment to the health and future of all Washingtonians.”
The full morning session of the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care from January 30, 2025, can be viewed here. (Statement in support by Andre Stackhouse begins at 51 minutes.)
What you can do to support this bill:
Send a comment in support of SJM 8004 to your legislators here!
In solidarity,
Whole Washington
