WAHA News.org - Read WAHA e-newsletters which are sent out regularly with up to date information on healthcare access issues in Whatcom County.
WAHA Media - Read articles published about the Whatcom Alliance including archived newsletters.
WAHA Web News - This section contains an archive of the Alliance's news items previously posted on our website.
SHIBA HelpLine Volunteer Updates - Review Newsletters sent to SHIBA HelpLine Volunteers
Media Archive
Media Fact Sheet
Bellingham Herald Articles and Columns
- "Alliance for Healthcare Access takes action" -Dec 2005
- "Q & A: Making sense of Medicare's new drug plan"- Nov 2005
- "Group Ensures Medical Care for Needy" - Nov 2005
- "Project Access a step to broader care"- Nov 2005
- "Community group seeks solutions" - June 2005
- "Uninsured problem plagues health care" -June 2005
St. Joseph Hospital Health Today Articles
Whatcom County Business Pulse Articles
- The
Health Care System’s “Perfect Storm” -
pdf
- “Health
Savings Accounts…A Potential Health
Insurance Option for Small Employers” - pdf
- “Advocating Nationally, Acting Locally….The
Need For Local Solutions to Healthcare Access” - pdf
- “Comprehensive
Bipartisan Action is Needed for Medical Malpractice Reform” - pdf
- Preserving Private Medical Practice Involvement
in Community Safety Net Care - pdf
- Is
the Medical Malpractice Crisis Real? It is in Whatcom
County! - pdf
- “A
Community Response to the Crisis of Eroding Healthcare Access” - pdf
Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access Newsletters
- Spring, 2004 - pdf
- Fall, 2003 - pdf
- Spring, 2003 - pdf
News Archive
October 2 , 2007
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Gov. Chris Gregoire said Washington and seven other states will sue the Bush administration over restrictions on health coverage for children. Gregoire said the government arbitrarily imposed new rules that prevent states from expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, a federal program that partners with the states to provide health care for kids. More than 8,000 Washington children could be affected by the outcome, she said. Click here to read the full Herald article.
September 20, 2007
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Two of Washington, DC’s most prominent health policy organizations announced that they are organizing “Health Care 2008: Presidential Candidate Forums” – a series of Presidential Forums that will allow each Presidential candidate to discuss in detail his or her vision about health reform and the uninsured with a panel of leading health journalists from “The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer,” ABC News, National Public Radio, and The Wall Street Journal. Click here to read the full announcement.
September 13, 2007
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Efforts by Congress to reach a compromise regarding State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation have stalled due to questions surrounding how to pay for the program with cuts to Medicare. Click here to read the latest newsletter from Cover The Uninsured (a nonprofit organization working to help get eligible uninsured kids enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP).
August 13, 2007
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4 p.m.-6 p.m., Mon, Sept. 17th: Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine Volunteer Open House. Insurance can be confusing, scary and expensive. SHIBA HelpLine volunteers give free, impartial advice to consumers about insurance options for seniors, families with kids, working people, low-income people, and more. At this open house, learn about the range of SHIBA HelpLine volunteer opportunities, enjoy refreshments, and get your volunteering questions answered. For more information call 715-6533.
August 6, 2007
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The Senate passed a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would provide health insurance for millions of children in low-income families, with a vote of 68 to 31. Click here to read the latest newsletter from Cover The Uninsured (a nonprofit organization working to help get eligible uninsured kids enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP).
July 17, 2007
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Help make a difference in the community where you live. Get the training you need to become a valuable SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) volunteer and help others gain access to the health care coverage they need and deserve. Become part of a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate, assist, and advocate for consumers regarding their rights and options about health insurance and health care access, so they can make informed choices. Volunteer and see firsthand the ways you can make a difference in the lives of others. Click here to read the full announcement.
June 20 , 2007
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This summer, Whatcom County kids who may never have had health insurance could qualify for state insurance for the first time. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation earlier this spring that expanded the Children’s Health Program, making insurance available to more children in lower-income families than before. Click here to read the full Herald article.
June 14 , 2007
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Thousands of Washington residents will have increased access to health care, thanks to a series of grant awards. Ten non-profit community-based health care organizations (including WAHA) will receive a total of $1.4 million under a new program administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority. Click here to read the full announcement.
April 25, 2007
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We welcome Nancy Steiger to Whatcom County as chief executive officer of St. Joseph Hospital. The hospital named her to replace Nancy Bitting, who is retiring. Steiger will start working July 1. Click here to read the full Bellingham Herald editorial.
February 10, 2007
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Kudos to the Whatcom Project Access project and the 170 Whatcom County doctors who have signed on to give health care to uninsured Whatcom County citizens. The project has assisted many people in our community already. For example, one man broke a bone right after starting his job, and before his medical insurance kicked in. He was able to get health care through the project. Click here to read the full Bellingham Herald editorial.
February 5, 2007
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An effort to help lower-income, uninsured people get specialty medical care has found help for more than 20 people, and is ready to help as many as 1,000 people this year. Whatcom Project Access links uninsured patients with medical specialists willing to see them for free. And about 170 Whatcom County doctors have agreed to help. Click here to read the full Bellingham Herald article.
December 26 , 2006
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Finding a doctor might get easier next year for seniors on Medicare, health-care officials say. Though many Whatcom County physicians are still closed to new Medicare patients, some local doctors - and ones new to the area - are opening their practices to those on the federal government's health insurance program for those 65 and older. Click here to read the full Bellingham Herald article.
November 29 , 2006
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If you or your client is home-bound due to the weather and running out of life-sustaining medications (such as those for diabetes or heart disease), the Whatcom County Division of Emergency Management can arrange for a delivery by Search and Rescue volunteers, 676-6681.
November 7 , 2006
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Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Nov. 15-Dec. 31
The Whatcom Medicare D Coalition will present, “Time to Consider Changes: Medicare Part D in 2007,” 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 16, at the St. Luke’s Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. The session is free and open to all Medicare beneficiaries, their families and advocates. Click here to read the press release. For help deciding which plan is right for you, click here for the Medicare D Rx Plan Finder Worksheet.
October 9, 2006
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Local organizations, healthcare providers and patients will be featured in the third episode of “Remaking American Medicine,” a four-part documentary series that presents inspiring stories about people working to make the healthcare system more effective. Shown nationwide on PBS (Public Broadcasting System) stations, the series will be aired serially on KCTS, 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and Nov. 5. The episode featuring Whatcom County innovations will air Oct. 22. For more information about the documentary series click here, and for updated viewing times, click here.
October 5, 2006
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Nancy Stothart, R.N., interim coordinator for Whatcom Project Access, is a featured expert in a new book, The Anatomy of Medical Error: Preventing Harm with People-Based Patient Safety, by E. Scott Geller and Dave Johnson. The authors interviewed Stothart to learn how medical professionals can coach patients to better self-manage their own healthcare. Click here for more information about the book.
September 28, 2006
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Premiums, deductibles, co-pays and prescription drug costs will soon rise for workers with employer-sponsored health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust. The cost of providing employees with health insurance continues to outpace inflation, but most employers are choosing to pass along new costs to workers rather than drop health benefits altogether.
September 20, 2006
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People with the Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance may see changes in their plans during Open Enrollment, Nov. 15-Dec. 31. Open Enrollment is also the opportunity to sign up for Medicare Beneficiaries who want to start the insurance for the first time. The SHIBA HelpLine (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) are available to help Whatcom County residents sort through their options.
September 6 , 2006
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The 2004 Washington State Legislature expanded the "Good Samaritan" Law to provide increased malpractice immunity to physicians who participate in Project Access. For more information about the impact of the "Good Samaritan" Law on Project Access see a brief article by Mary R. Giannini, partner at the Spokane law firm Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport, and Toole, P.S.
September 5 , 2006
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The Bellingham School District partners with WAHA to encourage families to connect with free, confidential services to get health insurance for their children.
May 10 , 2006
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The SHIBA HelpLine and WAHA are offering informal workshops for front office staff and other community agencies to help clients answer health insurance questions.
May 17 will cover Health Insurance for Kids at the Health Ed. Center
Read the latest "Tools to Use" Newsletter
May 9 , 2006
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Register now to take part in the Community Summit on Oral Health on June 9th.
View and print the brochure here
May 1 , 2006
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Deadline to sign up for Medicare Part D is May 15! If you have Medicare A and/or B and have high prescription drug costs, consider joining a Medicare Part D insurance plan.
April 25, 2006
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The Bellingham Herald urges other schools to follow the lead of the Ferndale School District in their attempt to get children health coverage.
Read "Ferndale Schools' health initiative worth imitating" here
Read "Non-Profit, Ferndale Schools join to find kids healthcare coverage" here
April 19, 2006
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WAHA's work to get children in the Ferndale School District insured is featured in The Bellingham Herald.
Read "Non-Profit, Ferndale Schools join to find kids healthcare coverage" here
April 11, 2006
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In the first edition of WAHA News read about new clinic openings, work to get every child health insurance, and how our local legislators are working to improve healthcare access.
March 24 , 2006
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WAHA Board Member Gil Thurston featured in The Bellingham Herald for his volunteer efforts in the community.
March 7 , 2006
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Exorbitant medical malpractice premium costs have directly contributed to the healthcare access problem in our community.
WAHA has worked to encourage the state legislature to pass a package of reforms designed to bring down the cost of these premiums.
Med Mal compromise bill summary
Comparison of Med Mal Initiatives
Medical Malpractice Reform Paper
February 28, 2006
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WAHA and SHIBA Programs were featured in two Bellingham Herald articles this week.
"Volunteers learn about health insurance, how to advise others"
"Non-English Medicare Rx help offered"
February 23, 2006
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Read WAHA's briefing paper on the connection between access to Medicare physicians and reimbursement rates.
February 22, 2006
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The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine and other nonprofit and government agencies offer the “Understanding Your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Options” workshop for Mandarin-language speakers.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information in Mandarin: (360) 734-6707.
For more information in English: (360) 715-6533.
February 16, 2006
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The Whatcom SHIBA HelpLine will host an open house on March 1 for anyone interested in becoming a SHIBA HelpLine volunteer.
Interested people may find out more by attending the open house at the WAHA office where refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call 715-6533 or email.
February 9, 2006
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The SHIBA HelpLine is looking for new volunteers! Contact the SHIBA office at (360) 715-6532 for more information.
Volunteer Spring Training Schedule
February 9, 2006
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The SHIBA HelpLine is looking for new volunteers! Contact the SHIBA office at (360) 715-6532 for more information.
Volunteer Spring Training Sched.
February 1, 2006
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WAHA and the SHIBA HelpLine were featured in St. Joseph Hospital's "Health Today" newsletter
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The Whatcom SHIBA HelpLine has created a tool to help advocates trouble-shoot prescription drug problems for Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible clients
Medicare D Dual Eligible Triage
December 26, 2005
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WAHA is one of the "10 Who Cared" in Whatcom County for 2005.
Read the Bellingham Herald article
December 13, 2005
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Need help narrowing down Medicare Part D prescription drug plan options?
Click here for a helpful worksheet.
Click here for SHIBA's Part D 2006 Workshops
November 15, 2005
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Medicare Reimbursement rates are one of the top issues that the WAHA Health Policy Education Group is discussing.
Read their position paper here.
November 13, 2005
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The Bellingham Herald featured a Q & A about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program
November 9, 2005
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Offering a broader view of national and state health care policy trends relevant to local access to health care the first edition of Health Policy Links is posted.
Read November's Health Policy Links
November 5, 2005
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Whatcom County welcomes Dr. Urnes at North Cascades Cardiology and Dr. Hiemstra, a new D.O. at the Birch Bay office of Lynden Family Medicine!
Learn more about the Recruitment and Retention Program
November 1, 2005
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Sorting out Medical Malpractice Proposals: WAHA's perspective on Initiatives I-330 and I-336
September 11, 2005
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The Bellingham Herald reports on Whatcom Project Access. Also read the follow-up editorial.
July 25, 2005
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WAHA recognized Sen. Dale Brandland and Rep. Kelli Linville for their dedication to increasing healthcare access for the people of Whatcom County.
July 1, 2005
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June 21, 2005
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June 20, 2005
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June 16, 2005
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Bellingham Herald Viewpoint: "Community group seeks solutions" - pdf
Bellingham Herald Opinion: "Uninsured problem plagues health care" - pdf
June 10, 2005
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Job Announcements
SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator - pdf
February 15, 2005
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Bellingham Herald Article - pdf
Review the proposal - pdf
February 7, 2005
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Review the proposal - pdf
February 2, 2005
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Contractor Announcement - pdf
December 14, 2004
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Review the proposal - pdf
August 15, 2004
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WAHA joins with other Washington State communities
to form "Communities
Connect"
More on Community Connects
SHIBA HelpLine Volunteer Updates
School Newsletters
"Health Insurance is a Family Matter" - pdf (Bellingham A2)