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Commonwealth Fund report assesses health care access and spending for all 50 states
OLYMPIA – Washington continues to perform among the top states in the nation for health care systems, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund.
For the first time, The Commonwealth Fund also reviewed how well states responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington ranked fourth in the nation in our overall response to COVID-19, and the report highlights Washington’s efforts around hospital staffing, vaccination rates, and preventing COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents.
Washington is fourth in the nation overall on the 2022 Scorecard on State Health System Performance, which asks questions including:
Some of Washington’s top-ranked indicators and our ranking include:
“The Commonwealth Fund data show Washington’s intentional efforts to build an affordable, accessible, and equitable health care delivery system are paying off,” said Health Care Authority (HCA) Director Sue Birch. “Many partners work together to help connect Washingtonians not just to coverage but high-quality care when they need it. We must continue innovating to better serve our state’s residents, including those with low incomes, who are living with behavioral health conditions, or are experiencing the impacts of the pandemic.”
In one example of Washington’s innovation, HCA is applying to renew and strengthen our Medicaid Transformation Project, a federal demonstration waiver that allows the state to use Medicaid dollars to develop projects that improve Washington’s health care system, such as housing, employment, substance use disorder, and supporting older adults and family caregivers.
“This ranking is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire ecosystem of health partners in Washington. The foundation of health is what continues to allow us to thrive, as well as strive toward a stronger future,” said State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah.
Amy Blondin, Chief Communications Officer
360-688-0131 (cell)
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.
HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.
