Northwest Health Law Advocates

06/12/2026

We're still riding the wave of joy from being in community with friends, new and old, last week. Thanks to all who came to talk about health care access, affordability, and accountability in .

Unable to make it? Did we miss you? Want to catch up from somewhere else? Drop us a note in the comments so we can connect! 👇

Special thanks to our Spokane-rooted hosts, Board members Dr. Charina Carothers and Brian Myers, and to supporters including The Black Lens and Excelsior Wellness 🥰

06/11/2026

"Nothing is going to change unless we all come together and just say, 'This is not right. It's not right how much health care costs. It's not right that you have to struggle to not only pay for insurance, if you can afford it, but then to struggle to cover the cost of medication.' I think it's time we all come together and speak up. So let's go."

Congrats and thanks to Kelly - and her baby - for sharing their all-too-relatable experience and saying what so many of us are thinking. Let's GO! Add your story today - https://tinyurl.com/overcharged-stories-wa



Visual description: A Black woman with long, curly dark brown hair and wearing a white top speaks frankly while facing the camera in selfie mode.

Transcript: Hi, my name is Kelly and not too long ago, I had a baby. And during that time, I found out that I was diabetic and had to purchase insulin and needles to be able to, you know, go through this pregnancy successfully. Now, I had health insurance. However, the cost of the insulin and needles, even with health insurance, was way too high. In the U.S., health insurance healthcare in general is just becoming way too expensive to the point that it puts people at risk even somebody who at the time thought that they were okay because they had health insurance and made it almost impossible just due to the extra cost for medication. You know nothing is going to change unless we all come together and just say this is not right. It's not right how much healthcare costs. It's not right that you know you have to struggle to not only pay for insurance if you can afford it but then to struggle to cover the cost of medication. I think it's time we all come together and speak up. So let's go.

05/18/2026

"The implications of this case extend far beyond reproductive health care. Americans do not want courts overriding medical expertise or restricting access to FDA-approved medications." ‼️⚠️

While today’s Supreme Court decision will allow telehealth access to mifepristone for the time being, it also prolongs uncertainty for patients and providers regarding access to this time-sensitive, safe and effective medication.

The implications of this case extend far beyond reproductive health care. Americans do not want courts overriding medical expertise or restricting access to FDA-approved medications.

Restricting access to Mifepristone would roll back access to care and would set a dangerous precedent for the courts to substitute their own ideology in place of scientific and medical expertise.

05/16/2026

Everyone should have access to the full range of health care–including contraception, abortion + gender-affirming care–no matter who they are or where they live ✨

Share with someone who needs to hear it.

Learn more about Opill OTC bit.ly/AllAboutOpillZine

05/12/2026

"While the court case is about an exclusion of weight-loss medication, the ruling applies to any disability recognized by Washington.

According to Northwest Health Law Advocates director Emily Brice, the law could impact similar exclusions to hearing aids, mental health care and other areas." - The Spokesman-Review

Read the full article - https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/may/11/glp1s-weight-loss-drugs-may-soon-be-covered-by-hea/

05/11/2026

"A potential reversal of once-promising trends." 💯 🤒

Read more - https://www.seattletimes.com/business/aca-enrolment-in-wa-plummets-13-after-premium-hikes/

05/11/2026

"Americans are forced to take on medical debt, delay retirement, and struggle to afford basic health care for themselves and their children – all while corporate health systems get bigger and rake in huge profits.” - Families USA

Read the report WITH recommended short-term policy solutions - https://familiesusa.org/press-releases/big-health-systems-charge-triple-the-medicare-rates-for-the-exact-same-care-driving-the-health-care-affordability-crisis/

In nearly every state, just 5 or fewer hospital systems control the majority of hospital care — and they're using that monopoly power to charge consumers whatever they want.

This consolidation is driving the health care affordability crisis, and consumers are paying the price.

Read the analysis: https://familiesusa.org/press-releases/big-health-systems-charge-triple-the-medicare-rates-for-the-exact-same-care-driving-the-health-care-affordability-crisis/

05/09/2026

This Day, we’re celebrating Opill OTC on shelves across the US–no Rx or ID needed! Together w/ Free the Pill, we 👏did 👏that👏! Now, we’re continuing our work to ensure it is equitably accessible to *everyone* who wants it: freethepill.org

05/08/2026

This Day, NoHLA is proud to be part of , a coalition-driven movement that helped pave the way for , the first OTC birth control pill in the US! Learn more about here ➡️ bit.ly/AllAboutOpillZine

05/06/2026