The latest 2023 Washington State Reform Health Policy ConferenceSue Burch, Director of the Washington State Health Authority (HCA) and Drew Oliveira, Executive Director of the Washington Health Alliance, delivered morning keynotes on recent state health policy developments and Washington state health. We shared our hopes for the future of care.
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Birch said he was “morally outraged” by the “waste and dysfunction” occurring in the state’s health care system, particularly the inequalities faced by communities of color and rural residents in accessing health care. Addressing these inequities, in addition to reducing overall health care costs, is a key goal of HCA’s leadership.
“If the country doesn’t fall short of projected health care costs, which will soon reach $6.3 trillion, what’s wrong with us?” Birch said. “We need to fund economic issues and environmental issues and other social programs as well. So I think we’re in this state — that’s why I stay committed to Washington — We have within us to work together to create a kind of destiny moving forward.”
Oliveira spoke about the lasting impact the pandemic is having on Washington’s healthcare workers.
“We have a struggling workforce. The pandemic has really disrupted a lot of people, and many have left the industry completely,” he said. “It kind of leads to scarcity work, so you’re working like you’re understaffed. Stopping quickly is very important.My bias is that the way you do things is always focused on quality.”
Watch the full keynote above.
