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 is fully paid for through public financing and has a four-year transition plan. Studies estimate it would save the state billions of dollars in total healthcare spending by eliminating administrative waste, fraud, and cost-inflation incentivized within the for-profit insurance industry.
Full text (SB.5233)
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Past versions
Senate Bill 5335
- 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
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- 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.