Category: Uncategorized

At Unity Care NW, we are deeply committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to all our patients, regardless of their circumstances. Over the past 3 years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of our Hand-Up for Health Program, which has allowed us to extend our support beyond traditional healthcare services to address the diverse needs of our patients. Sometimes there are items or short-term services that our patients need but insurance is unable to cover, and our patients are unable to afford.

The generosity of our donors has enabled us to assist individuals and families facing challenging situations. As we reflect on 2023, we are grateful for the opportunity to share just a few of the memorable ways in which these funds were utilized to make a difference in the lives of those we serve…

Read More

The successes of this program would not be possible without the generous contributions of our donors and supporters, whose commitment to our mission fuels our efforts to make a positive impact in our community. Click the button below to donate to the Hand-Up for Health Program, and provide compassion, dignity, and hope to a neighbor in need.

One of PSE’s Powerful Partners for 2024 is Communities in Schools (CIS) Whatcom-Skagit who work combating dropout rates in Washington State

From the era of gas lights to pioneering wind power projects, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has a rich history and deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to providing services to 1.1 million electric customers and over 900,000 natural gas customers in 10 counties, they are committed to collaborating with local groups to create stronger more equitable communities for all. Central to this work is their Powerful Partnership Program.

The goal of these grants is to develop strong community partnerships with organizations that share a passion for energy sustainability. This year, PSE is distributing $150,000 across 12 organizations. Since the inception of the Powerful Partnership Program in 2016, PSE has partnered with 92 organizations across the counties they serve, donating a total of $980,000 to date. The program collaborates with organizations striving to achieve their sustainability objectives while making meaningful contributions to their communities, particularly nonprofits across their service area dedicated to uplifting vulnerable populations. Through efforts to decrease energy consumption and promote cleaner energy options for small businesses and residential customers, they ensure ongoing support for those in need within their social circles. See the full list of this year’s grantees here.

One of PSE’s Powerful Partners this year is Communities in Schools (CIS) Whatcom-Skagit. Each day, CIS’ team works to guide students back on track, combating the dropout rates in Washington State. Their impact extends beyond academics; it reaches into the very fabric of health and well-being. Research shows the critical link between education and health. Those who do not graduate high school face a disproportionate risk of chronic health conditions, according to Healthy People 2023. From asthma to heart disease, the consequences of dropping out reverberate far beyond the classroom, affecting individuals’ overall well-being.

PSE embodies a commitment to equitable access and community empowerment through a variety of projects and programs throughout the areas they serve. They are one of Unity Care NW’s top Health Care Champion Sponsors, supporting our work to ensure everyone in our community has access to high-quality care even if they can’t afford it. Thank you, PSE, for your support and your efforts in so many communities across the Pacific Northwest.

State Budget Allocations

The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.33 billion supplemental capital budget for 2024 that includes significant investments in the health of Washington residents including $82.7 million to build behavioral health care facilities and $127 million in funding for affordable housing. Thank you to everyone who called or wrote to state lawmakers! There were significant investments advancing health care access for everyone in this years budget thanks to outreach from Community Health Center staff and supporters.

Increase Investment in Health Coverage for Undocumented Individuals

$28.4 million was allocated by the state legislature for administrative support and expansion of the Medicaid lookalike for uninsured adults at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. This investment demonstrates positive forward momentum, as well as the Legislature’s commitment to coverage for undocumented individuals. However, the total investments in this program ($49.5 million in 2023 and $28.4 million in 2024) are still insufficient to provide coverage for all the individuals the state estimates would be eligible for this program.

Expand School-Based Health Programs and Services

$500 thousand was allocated in the budget to increase funding to expand the Department of Health’s school-based health center program through five grants of $100 thousand each. $2 million was invested in capital funding for eight school-based health capital projects, including six community health center projects.

Continue Capital Investments in Community Dental Clinics

$452 thousand was unvested in capital funding for new and expanded oral health facilities at three community health centers: CHAS Health, Moses Lake Community Health Center, Community Health Center of Snohomish.

340B Progress

New Law Regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers

WA SB 5213, concerning pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) was signed into law by Governor Inslee. This bill is a great starting point for addressing issues with PBMs, outsized influence on drug costing and access for our patients by:

• Increasing the ability of the Office of Insurance Commissioner to provide oversight of PBMs
• Protecting pharmacies from negative reimbursements that pay pharmacies less than the cost of a drug after it’s been dispensed to a patient
• Protecting independent and non-profit pharmacies from being paid less than corporate pharmacies
• Prohibiting PBMs from:
  • Knowingly misleading pharmacies by requiring more of independent and non-profit pharmacies than they do of corporate pharmacies.
  • Reimbursing any pharmacy less than a pharmacy the PBM is affiliated with.
  • Retroactively deny payment for a drug. Fees, days allowance, same treatment between mail and in-house. Reduces waste by confirming with the patient they want refills.

“This bill was a great first step towards protecting patients in Washington from the abusive practices of many Pharmacy Benefits Managers,” said UCNW Chief Pharmacy Officer, Lisa Nelson. It should help prevent pharmacy deserts in neighborhoods across the state and will help Unity Care NW’s patients by requiring PBMs to allow us to deliver or mail a prescription and allow patients whose mail in drugs are late or damaged to have replacement drugs covered at a network pharmacy so patients care isn’t interrupted.

The bill contains language about mail order pharmacies requiring affirmative authorization before filling and shipping medication to patients which is important to reduce unnecessary prescription drug spend.  Here is a link to a slide deck from National Community Pharmacy Association that is at least a decade old detailing mail-order waste (all the dollar values listed on the slides are much, much higher today): PowerPoint Presentation (ncpa.co)

Sustain 340B Act

In February, the bipartisan Senate 340B Working Group released the SUSTAIN 340B Act Discussion Draft and a Request for Information (RFI) from stakeholders including Community Health Centers. The discussion draft is another step in the right direction to introducing bipartisan legislation that will stabilize the 340B program and protect the health care safety net. Advocacy in coalition with NACHC and other organizations has been instrumental in opening this space for engagement with Congress about the best ways to protect and improve the 340B program. UCNW signed-on in support of NACHC’s RFI response letter to provide feedback to help shape the final legislation.

On the Ballot in November

Initiatives to be aware of in November I-2109: prohibiting taxes on capital gains income and I-2117: repealing the carbon tax credit trading, known as “Cap and Trade.” If passed, either initiative would significantly reduce state revenue from taxes on the sale of property and investments and on carbon polluting businesses. Removing these revenues would limit possible funding for Community Health Centers and our priorities, and could lead to serious negative impacts on our patients.

Now that 2024 is well under way, this is a great time to revisit any healthy resolutions you made for the year because February is American Heart Month. Your heart is the strongest muscle in your body and there are many things you can do to keep it healthy. That’s why Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) provides support and resources to strengthen your heart and your health. In fact, they have a helpful Health Information Library available online for anyone. Check out their different tools and information for Heart and Circulation health in their online library. Find more health information on CHPW’s blog, CHPW Connections, where you can find suggestions for healthy choices, such as their article on Heart Health Tips: How Lowering Your Blood Pressure Can Help.

Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) has been providing health care to Washington families for more than 30 years. They are Washington’s first not-for-profit to serve Apple Health members. In 1992, Washington’s community and migrant health centers (CHCs), created CHPW to provide health insurance to people who were not being served by traditional insurance companies. From that beginning, they are governed by community organizations (Community Health Centers) like Unity Care NW which, in turn, are governed by community members. Today they remain a not-for-profit based in Washington providing health care for Washingtonians. Here in Whatcom county, they offer Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicare plans.

CHPW By the Numbers
CHPW is connected throughout Washington. The Community Health Plan of Washington network includes:

• 21 Community Health Centers operating more than 190 clinics
• More than 3,100 primary care providers
• Nearly 15,000 medical specialists
• Nearly 8,000 behavioral health specialists
• Over 100 hospitals
• More than 130 Affiliate Providers at 393 locations

They are also one of Unity Care NW’s Health Care Champion sponsors supporting our work to provide affordable whole
person health care to everyone. Thank you CHPW for everything you do to create stronger and healthier communities!

Molina Healthcare was founded in 1980 by an emergency room physician with a mission to provide quality health care to those who needed it, no matter their circumstances. Molina is committed to community service and has established a vibrant corporate social responsibility initiative to support the communities they serve.

Today, Molina Healthcare of Washington serves over 1 million members through government sponsored programs Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicare D-SNP across every county in the state, and health plans through the WA Health Benefit Exchange in most counties. In Washington’s North Sound region, Molina serves over 130k members, including nearly 40k members in Whatcom County. They collaborate with community partners to eliminate access barriers and tackle health disparities to improve the health and lives of their members and communities.

As part of this commitment, Molina provides a variety of resources on their website to help everyone on their health journey, including articles on their blog focused on a variety of health topics. The categories range from resources for addiction, help for allergies, and information on immunizations. In addition, Molina Medicaid members can earn gift card incentives for completing their annual preventive care. The Company also participates in our Healthcare Champions Sponsorship program, supporting health care for everyone. Unity Care NW is thankful for their support and partnership to build stronger communities in Whatcom County and beyond.