SWACH Policy Advocacy: Access
Policy advocacy is deeply connected to SWACH’s mission and values because it is a primary vehicle for achieving health equity and empowering communities in Southwest Washington. SWACH’s mission is to pursue health equity by addressing barriers to well-being through collaboration, innovation, and community partnerships, ensuring every community has access to the resources needed for physical, behavioral, economic, and social wellness. Every year SWACH staff works with community members to identify what policies are most impactful for their communities. This then drives the priorities for advocacy. While gathering data, four policy areas consistently presented themselves: Housing, Behavioral/Mental Health (including SUD), Access, and Native and Tribal Affairs.
This report will be focused on Access.
Policy Connection: Why Bills/Policies that center Access Matter
SWACH is dedicated to making sure everyone in Southwest Washington can reach the services they need to support their health and well-being. To us, health equity means that every person should have a fair chance to live their healthiest and most fulfilling life. We see “access” as more than just medical care—it’s about everything you need to be your healthiest self. That’s why we work so hard to advocate for better access, breaking down barriers and opening up opportunities so everyone in our community can get the care and support they deserve.
Key highlights include:
HB 1392 - a major initiative designed to improve access to healthcare for Medicaid enrollees across the state. The program aims to address long standing issues with low Medicaid reimbursement rates, which have limited patient access to care, especially for essential and specialty services.
HB 1296 - new Washington state law focused on making public schools safer and more supportive for all students. It ensures that Washington schools are safer and more inclusive by protecting student and parent rights, supporting school staff, and requiring strong policies for transgender student safety.
HB 5083 - Improve access to primary care and behavioral health services and to make hospital services more affordable for Washington residents.The bill was requested by the Washington State Health Care Authority and supported by some lawmakers seeking to address affordability and access issues in the state’s health system.
SWACH also advocated for childcare access - particularly in the rural Skamania & Klickitat counties, increased transportation options, access to health/dental care, and reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers.
How did SWACH show up: Approach and Impact
Access to essential basic needs like Medicaid, food, transportation, medical services, education, and childcare is vital for building a healthy and thriving community. When people can easily obtain these basic services, they are healthier, more economically stable, and better able to support themselves and their families. Ultimately, this kind of advocacy strengthens our community by preventing bigger problems like illness, food scarcity, and homelessness, and by fostering a more connected, resilient, and supportive environment.SWACH mobilized community health workers and advocates, empowering them to drive change from within their own communities. We ensured that community voices were at the center of every meeting, rally, and communication.
We partnered with community organizations dedicated to advancing health equity by addressing the social determinants of health, allowing us to approach the legislative session with a strong, strategic focus. Our team participated in Poverty Action Network’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol to champion pathways out of poverty, traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for progressive tax revenue, and met with lawmakers to emphasize the importance of preserving Medicaid.
We were also grateful to form new partnerships with organizations that share our vision for a healthier Southwest Washington. Working with Arcora, we supported their health campaign to promote healthy hygiene habits with local governments. We joined forces with Balance Our Tax Code and Fair Share America to advocate for a more equitable tax system. Additionally, we collaborated closely with local partners such as the Southwest Washington Equity Coalition, Odyssey World International Education Services, and Fourth Plain Forward, supporting their ongoing efforts to strengthen our community.
For more on SWACH’s Advocacy work, click here or download our Access one-pager.