2008 – School Outreach
WAHA supported the School Outreach Bill (SB5100) in the 2008 legislative session.
School Outreach policy paper
2008 – Communities Collaborative Grant
WAHA supported passage of “Gap” Funding for the Communities Collaborative Grant Program, including developing a strategy to secure Governor Gregoire’s support for renewal of the program in 2009.
Supplemental Funding for Communities Collaborative Grant Program position paper
2007 – Community Healthcare Forum: Changing Health Care in Whatcom County – We Can do Better
WAHA joined with the St. Luke’s Foundation to convene the “Changing Healthcare in Whatcom County” Community Forum on June 11, 2007. This event brought together more than 200 people from a wide cross section of our community to more fully understand the challenges facing the American health care delivery system, and discuss opportunities for local action. Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, physician and healthcare activist, provided the keynote address.
Forum Report
Kitzhaber presentation
Request a video from this event
2005 - 2007 Medicare Reimbursement
WAHA organized the Medicare Study Group to identify and better understand the factors that are negatively impacting Medicare access in Whatcom County, Washington State, and the country with the goal of identifying strategies to increase awareness of these issues, improve public policy, and improve local access.
Medicare Physician Access & Reimbursement: 2007 update and 2006 position paper
Medicare Physician Access & Reimbursement: 2005 position paper
Medicare Congressional Report
2005 – Safety Net Care Involvement
During the 2005 Legislative session, a budget proviso called for a study to review approaches to providing incentives for private physicians to maintain involvement in the community safety net care. Included in this approach is consideration of the cost and impact of B & O Tax Credits for physician practices that provide services Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured patients.
B&O Tax Credit Senate Testimony