Catholic Social Teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every human life and to care for those who are most vulnerable. The Catholic Church affirms that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. Today, many immigrants and refugees in Washington state remain excluded from essential medical care due to their immigration status. Bill 1482 would expand funding for Washington Apple Health to ensure that these community members have access to life-saving healthcare services. This bill reflects our shared values of compassion, justice, and the moral responsibility to care for one another.

Pope Francis stated in Fratelli Tutti: “If every human being possesses an inalienable dignity, if all people are my brothers and sisters, and if the world truly belongs to everyone, then it matters little whether my neighbor was born in my country or elsewhere” (#55). We believe that healthcare is a human right that allows each person’s dignity to flourish, regardless of immigration status.

Beginning July 1, 2024, the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) began expanding healthcare coverage through Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) regardless of immigration status. Undocumented Washingtonians with incomes under 138% of the federal poverty level may become eligible for coverage. Bill 1482 is essential to ensuring that this policy change is implemented effectively and that no eligible person is left behind. Supporting this bill helps create a more just and equitable healthcare system, promotes public health, and allows individuals and families to access preventive and urgent care before health conditions become crises.

This expansion of Apple Health funding is not just a policy change; it is a moral choice that reflects who we are as a community. As people of faith and conscience, we ask you to stand with immigrants, refugees, and all those who seek the basic human right of healthcare. We urge lawmakers to vote in support of Bill 1482 and commit to a vision of Washington where all people—regardless of status—are treated with dignity and care!