Category: CurrentNews

Unity Care NW’s 2026 Advocacy Work

When decisions made far from Whatcom County threaten the health of our neighbors, we stand up. This is a brief look at what we’ve been working on in 2026 so far — and why it matters for the patients and community we serve.

The Landscape: Our Patients Are Facing Real Pressure

Unity Care NW’s Public Policy team visits Washington D.C. every year to meet with community health center staff from around the country and to advocate with law makers on behalf of our patients.

Unity Care NW’s Public Policy team visits Washington D.C. every year to meet with community health center staff from around the country and to advocate with law makers on behalf of our patients. The policy environment your neighbors are navigating right now is complicated and consequential. Here is what we are seeing on the ground in Whatcom County.

• Federal legislation (H.R. 1) eliminated the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that helped many working families afford health coverage. Patients who had insurance are now losing it or facing premiums they simply cannot pay. In October 2025, Unity Care NW hosted a roundtable with Rep. Rick Larsen where patients spoke directly about the impossible choices ahead: food, rent, or health care.
• Starting in September 2026, approximately 2,700 Unity Care NW patients will receive letters requiring them to prove they work or volunteer 80 hours a month. Those who cannot will risk losing Medicaid coverage. They will also be required to reapply every six months instead of annually. For patients managing chronic illness, disability, or unstable housing, this is a significant and stressful burden.
• At a time when ICE enforcement actions were making national and local news, we saw a measurable drop in patients seeking care at our clinics whose health needs are best served in a language other than English. Fear is a barrier to care, and we are concerned about what this means for health outcomes in our community.

“I was laid off, lost all benefits including healthcare. The 3 month lay-off is now 1 year. I would have been lost without these services.” – UCNW Patient

What We’ve Done About It

Federal Advocacy with Sen. Patty Murray

Unity Care NW senior leadership met with U.S. Senator Patty Murray in late 2025 to share our concerns about proposed cuts to the federally qualified community health center program. In her role as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Murray worked in a bipartisan capacity to secure $8.9 billion in Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) funding in February, an increase of $415 million that included $1.9 billion for health centers. While we continue to assess how this will directly benefit Unity Care NW’s patients, this investment in the community health center infrastructure we rely on represents a meaningful victory for safety-net health care nationally.

Protecting the Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit

In December 2025, Governor Ferguson’s proposed budget included a change to the state’s Medicaid pharmacy benefit that would have cost Washington’s nonprofit community health centers more than $100 million annually, while saving the state only $7.5 million. For Unity Care NW, this would have weakened our ability to stretch every dollar to serve patients who depend on us.

We responded with a coordinated campaign that included:

• Our Chief Pharmacy Officer, Dr. Lisa Nelson, PharmD, traveling to Olympia alongside the Washington Association of Community Health to meet directly with lawmakers and explain the human cost of this proposal at a moment when patients are already absorbing the loss of ACA subsidies.
• A letter to the editor in Cascadia Daily News, making the case clearly that weakening 340B won’t fix Washington’s budget, but it will hurt Medicaid patients in Whatcom County.
• CEO Jodi Joyce testifying to the Legislature, urging lawmakers to reject the proposal to protect patient access and community health.

“Unity Care NW serves 1 in 10 Whatcom County residents and increasingly acts as a last line of access for people experiencing homelessness or managing complex medical conditions. At a moment of federal uncertainty, state leaders should be protecting community-based solutions that work.” — Dr. Lisa Nelson, Chief Pharmacy Officer

A Historic Win: Washington’s First-Ever 340B State Pharmacy Bill

Governor Ferguson signs Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5981 – March 25, 2026. Relating to protecting the integrity of the 340B drug pricing program.

On March 25, 2026, Governor Ferguson signed SB 5981 into law and Unity Care NW played a central role in making it happen.

This first-of-its-kind state bill, developed in partnership with Representative Thai of Bellevue, stops drug manufacturers from undermining the federal 340B program through contract pharmacy limitations. Many of our patients rely on contract pharmacies because they don’t live near a clinic or face transportation barriers. SB 5981

ensures those patients don’t lose access to their medications because of behind-the-scenes policy changes by pharmaceutical companies.

Dr. Lisa Nelson and our public policy staff advocated extensively with lawmakers throughout the session. The result is a law that protects continuity of care for low-income, uninsured, tribal, and HIV patients across Washington state. It also models what community-driven safety-net advocacy can achieve.

Why This Work Is Part of Who We Are

Unity Care NW exists because everyone deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life — regardless of their income, immigration status, insurance, or ZIP code.

The year ahead will require us to stay engaged. We will continue to stand with our patients, to speak on their behalf, and to be here, for everyone.

A recent survey from the Washington State Department of Health reveals critical insights about young children’s health and well-being in our state. The survey, which focuses on families with children ages 6 months to 5 years, provides one of the most comprehensive statewide snapshots of early childhood and family well-being in Washington — and the findings show both encouraging strengths and concerning gaps in healthcare access.

“The Child Wellness Survey gives us insight into how young families in Washington are finding their way in a changing and often difficult world,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, State Health Officer.

Children receive comprehensive care at Unity Care NW, including specialized Dental and Behavioral Health services to help in their development of resilience and problem-solving skills.

Key Findings: Family Strengths

The results show most Washington families with young children report high levels of problem-solving and resilience and generally believe their children are healthy:

• About 98% of children live in families that find ways to navigate challenges.
• About 95% of children live in families that feel able to solve problems.
• 91% of caregivers rate their child’s health as excellent or very good.

Key Findings: Ongoing Challenges

At the same time, the survey highlights significant barriers affecting families:

• About 20-30% of families report having unmet basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation.
• About 25% of families needing healthcare referrals for their children reported difficulties getting them.
• About 25% of families lack access to the childcare they need.

“The findings show young families in Washington are navigating challenges while supporting their children,” said Maayan Simckes, PhD, MPH, DOH’s Population Survey Supervisor. “They also underscore the crucial role that safe and resilient families, neighborhoods, and communities play when times get tough.”

How Unity Care NW Supports Whatcom County Families

As a community health center providing healthcare to everyone regardless of their ability to pay, Unity Care NW is part of the safety net that supports families through the foundational years of their children’s lives. Our patients receive comprehensive care — including Pharmacy and specialized children’s Dental services — all in one location. Programs like Behavioral Health and Case Management help develop the resilience and problem-solving skills highlighted in the survey.

How You Can Help

Maintaining Washington’s strong network of community health centers is essential to keeping our state’s children healthy and helping their families navigate challenges. You can make a difference in two important ways:

Make a gift to Unity Care NW today to ensure that children with unmet healthcare needs in Whatcom County can stay healthy and get the care they need when challenges arise.

Contact your state lawmakers and urge them to maintain the Medicaid pharmacy benefit as it exists today to save the healthcare safety net that families depend on. Find your lawmakers here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder

Together, we can ensure every child in Whatcom County has access to the healthcare they need to thrive.

As we come to the end of 2025, we’re taking time to reflect on the year and the progress captured in our 2024 Annual Report. This report not only highlights how we showed up for our community, but also illustrates the rising need for accessible, high-quality care among the people we serve.

At Unity Care NW, we hold a core belief that health care is a human right.  Our mission is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners, and the generosity of our community, 2024 was a year defined by growth, innovation and meaningful impact. Together, we expanded our reach and supported more of our Whatcom County neighbors than ever before.

Health By the Numbers

In 2024, Unity Care NW provided care to 24,750 patients — more than one in 10 Whatcom County residents. That’s a 54% increase in patient totals since 2014 and underscores the essential role we play in a community where nearly half of our patients live below the federal poverty level, and most rely on Medicaid for their care. Regardless of a patient’s circumstances, our team delivers the same compassionate, high-quality care to all.

Across our medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and case management services, we reached record numbers of visits. Our pharmacy filled more prescriptions than ever before and delivered over 4,200 vaccines, offering protection against seasonal illnesses and long-term health risks alike.

While we are proud of our ability to expand services and grow alongside our community, the increasing number of people depending on Unity Care NW is a clear signal that the need for accessible, affordable health care continues to intensify in Whatcom County.

Whole-Person Health in Action

Health is about more than just treating symptoms — it requires attention to every dimension of a person’s well-being. In 2024, we relaunched our Veggie Rx Program in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, offering produce vouchers that help eligible patients with chronic conditions access fresh, nutritious food.

We also focused on prevention and mental health. 90% of our patients were screened for depression, ensuring that more people could be connected with behavioral health care. Among our patients managing diabetes, 82% achieved healthy blood sugar levels — an accomplishment that reflects both their dedication and the effectiveness of integrated care.

Community Helping Community

This year also marked the opening of The Way Station, a groundbreaking Health & Hygiene Center for individuals experiencing homelessness. Together with the Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and Whatcom County Health & Community Services, we are now able to offer showers, laundry facilities, walk-in care, and medical respite beds. In our first year, nearly 1,395 people accessed hygiene services alone— helping to restore stability, dignity, and hope for those in need.

The Future of Care in Whatcom County

Reflecting on 2024, we are profoundly grateful for our patients, partners, and supporters who make this essential work possible.  Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier Whatcom County where everyone can thrive.

Join us in our mission. Learn more, get involved, or make a gift today.

“They made me feel like they wanted to help…
they saved my life. Likely more than once.”
– Unity Care NW Patient

Unity Care NW is proud to share that our Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Kobdish, recently accepted the Collaboration Award at the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s 22nd Annual Peace Builder Awards on behalf of The Way Station.

This award recognizes the collective efforts of many partners who spent more than seven years working to bring The Way Station from idea to reality. Together, Unity Care NW, Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and countless community supporters persevered through challenges, secured funding, and found solutions to complex hurdles — all with a shared goal: to create a safe, welcoming place for people experiencing homelessness to access basic needs and supportive services.

When The Way Station opened in November 2024, it became a first-of-its-kind resource in Whatcom County. Guests can access laundry, showers, and restrooms, in the Health & Hygiene Center, operated by Unity Care NW — which also offers walk-in medical and behavioral health services, including substance use counseling. In partnership with Opportunity Council’s Housing Case Managers, guests are supported in finding pathways out of homelessness. The Medical Respite Program, launched in spring 2025 and managed by Opportunity Council in collaboration with PeaceHealth, provides short-term healing space for people discharged from the hospital in need of a safe place to recover.

While this award is about collaboration, it also recognizes Chris’s central role in keeping the vision alive. For the final 4 years of the planning phase, she lead the convening of partners, raised millions of dollars, and worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles — ensuring the project didn’t stall. And just when she was ready to pass the baton, a staffing shift meant she was asked to lead day-to-day operations at The Way Station for Unity Care NW. She stepped in, ensuring that the Health &  Hygiene Center would be there to serve those who needed it most.

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center honored The Way Station and its partners with this award, “for the collective efforts to address complex community needs with compassion and collaboration.” Unity Care NW is committed to bringing this same spirit of empathy and teamwork to all of the challenges that stand in the way of a healthier community until everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.