Northwest Health Law Advocates Programs
Education and Training
NoHLA provides education and training on public health insurance programs and related laws and policies to advocates and providers around the state (social workers, benefit counselors, medical providers, attorneys and others). We typically reach several hundred advocates annually, with in-person, phone and web-based training. Recent training has focused on the impact of state budget cuts on safety net health care programs and what providers and advocates can do to help their clients maintain health coverage.
Legal Support
NoHLA provides support to legal organizations representing low-income persons, including children, families, seniors, immigrants and people with disabilities. Our expertise in public health insurance programs - including eligibility, benefits and clients' rights - is instrumental in helping advocates around the state access and maintain health care coverage for their clients.
Policy and Legal Analysis
Through legal policy analysis, NoHLA leverages the knowledge and expertise of our small staff to effect changes in public health insurance programs that impact large groups of beneficiaries. Analysis ranges from the specific impacts of laws and policies on low-income people to analyses of how health systems can change to better meet the health needs of people with limited resources.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
NoHLA played a key role in achieving expanded children's health coverage in Washington to include all children in families with incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. We were successful in getting statutory changes adopted to ensure equal, comprehensive benefits for all children. We also successfully advocated with the Department of Social and Health Services to simplify the application process, making it easier for families to document income and streamlining eligibility determinations.
NoHLA needs general support for our policy and legal analysis and advocacy efforts. We expect to play a key role in the development of plans for implementation of national health reform in Washington State.