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This newsletter covers health equity-related efforts at the Health Care Authority (HCA) from April 1–June 30, 2025. We are also addressing some significant health care and equity changes that occurred in July.
 U.S. Capitol Building
The biggest event was the passage of H.R. 1, which Congress pushed through and the president signed into law. This legislation deeply impacts Apple Health, its programs, and people we serve. (Apple Health is what we call Medicaid in Washington state.)
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Currently, Apple Health provides free or low-cost health coverage for nearly 2 million people across our state, including children, adults, pregnant people, those 65 years of age or older, and people with disabilities. |
H.R. 1 contradicts our agency's values and beliefs. We don't have control over changes and decisions made at the federal level, but HCA's top priority is to implement these new requirements in ways that minimize coverage loss and reduce customer burden. We will continue to apply an equity lens as we further analyze and understand the impacts of this legislation.
Learn more.
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 The bowl pictured above is inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which means “golden joinery.” Rather than hiding cracks, Kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, honoring its history and making it more beautiful and resilient.
In our health equity work, we often carry more than what’s on our calendar. The realities of injustice, structural harm, personal and community grief, and exhaustion are never far from our daily work. These lived experiences shape how we show up, how we relate, and how we lead.
To meet this moment with care and intention, we are shifting how we come together — not just what we do — but how we do it.
One way to begin is co-creating “containers.”
In this context, a container is a shared agreement and intentional space where we build trust, emotional safety, and connection. It’s not just a meeting structure; it’s a way of honoring one another’s experiences and creating a culture that supports healing, honesty, and transformation.
Our team recently developed an equity team container that outlines the principles we use to guide collaboration. It includes commitments like:
- Equitable sharing of space and power
- Practicing the pause
- Honoring the stories and identities of others
- Navigating empathy with care
- Rumble with courage and vulnerability
- Guarantee confidentiality and mutual trust
These practices aren’t meant to be checkboxes. They are ways of being together that reduce harm, center humanity, and make space for deeper connection. When we begin meetings with a check-in, make time for shared reflection, or name when something feels off, we are practicing care. We are modeling the culture we want to create.
Creating a container doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence. And when we make space for real relationships at work, we become better equipped to serve our communities with clarity, compassion, and courage.
This is just the beginning. I invite you to explore what it could look like to create a container with your teams. Start small, maybe with a check-in question or shared team agreement. These moments build the muscle of psychological safety and connection that equity work depends on.
Let’s keep making room for each other to show up together, so we can stand stronger for the communities we serve.
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Excellence in Leadership Award recipients
Becky Carrell, Ryan Ramsdell, and Shawna Lang received the Excellence in Leadership Award during the 2025 Public Service Recognition Week. The Leadership Award honors standout leaders who drive meaningful change through vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Apple Health Toolkit revamped
Partners, stakeholders, providers, community-based organizations, and others who assist current and potential Apple Health (Medicaid) clients can now take advantage of a newly revamped webpage. Learn more.
Sign up for the Washington Thriving newsletter
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Washington Thriving is a collaborative, statewide effort to develop a strategic plan that will transform the behavioral health system serving children, youth, and young adults. Providers, systems, and funding sources work together — with a focus on centering lived experience — to ensure services are seamless, accessible, and adapt to changing needs. Sign up for the Washington Thriving Newsletter to keep up with the latest efforts.
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Governor signs health care affordability bill
On Tuesday, May 20, Governor Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5083 into law — a major step forward in improving access to primary care, behavioral health services, and affordable hospital care for public employees and educators across Washington. Learn more about this new law.
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Health equity terms get first review
This quarter marked a major milestone in Washington state’s efforts to embed equity into health care delivery. The Health Equity team completed the first review of new health equity contract language included in managed care organization (MCO) contracts. We focused on how equity is being put into action, not just what's written on paper.
Overall, many MCOs demonstrated meaningful engagement, and some even provided standout deliverables now being highlighted as promising practices.
This review is more than a compliance checkpoint; it represents a shift toward healing-centered, community-guided implementation. As we prepare for future TEAMonitor cycles, the Health Equity team will include feedback to support technical assistance and ensure HCA's expectations remain clear, actionable, and centered in community voice.
MyWABenefits launches
MyWABenefits is a mobile-friendly website that gives clients streamlined access to important information about their benefits, including food, cash, and Apple Health Classic Medicaid. Learn more.
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The spotlight is a feature that recognizes an individual, program, or effort at HCA that is advancing health equity.
Doula benefit provides support and an advocate
This year, Washington Apple Health began covering birth doula services. It has nearly two million people enrolled and covers over 40 percent of births in Washington. With Apple Health’s wide reach, the doula benefit is a step forward for safe births and healthy babies.
Read the full story.
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Using mindfulness & stress management in times of change
Wednesday, September 17
10–11 a.m.
Register for this webinar on Zoom
OoE is hosting a new webinar as part of their Equity Learning Series. Cheral Manke and Leatta Dahlhoff from the Department of Enterprise Services will lead the session. With all the changes and stress in 2025, this webinar will focus on simple ways to manage stress and take care of ourselves. You’ll learn how to:
- Check in with yourself
- Practice self-care
- Notice your emotions
- Understand your stress triggers
- Respond in healthier ways
The session includes a short mindfulness exercise to help you relax and tools you can use every day.
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To HCA, health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Our vision is to represent a culture in which we recognize health inequities and work with the people we serve to reduce inequities.
Learn more about our health equity efforts.
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