Matt Ready

At the 11/29/2014 Jefferson Healthcare Public Hospital Commissioner meeting the commission allowed 35 minutes to learning about single payer healthcare and specifically the Washington Health Security Trust (WHST), formerly known as HB 1085/SB 5224, a bill for single payer healthcare in Washington State. This is the first Washington State public hospital district to consider formally supporting (or opposing) single payer healthcare and or the WHST. This WHST is currently under consideration for inclusion in the 2015 Washington State legislative session.

This video includes a brief introduction by Commissioner Ready, a 10 minute presentation by guest single payer expert Dr. Ken Fabert of Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP), and approximately 20 minutes of public comment.  The commissioners did not engage in any discussion of the issues during this session.

If the Jefferson Healthcare board votes to support this bill, this action might help convince the Wa 24th Legislative district representatives, Tharinger, Van de Wege, and Hargrove to also support the bill. Reps. Tharinger and Van de Wege sit on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and Sen. Hargrove sits on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, making all of them highly influential regarding a bill like this.

It now appears likely the board an actual vote yes or no to support single payer and or the WHST will most likely happen at the following regular meeting of the Jefferson Healthcare Commissioners, Dec 3, 2014.