2026 CHI Legislative Priorities

Written By Elana Mainer

From Jan. 12 until March 12th, our elected state representatives will be meeting in Olympia to decide how to best fund state programs and resources, and advance or amend policies and laws. This is called our Washington State "legislative session."

Below are the legislative priorities our Okanogan CHI put together for the 2026 legislative session. Built from real, local experience, these priorities are designed to reflect shared needs, not organizational priorities. As you'll see below, the CHI is asking our representatives for targeted investments, basic protections, and system-level changes that align limited state dollars with people and place. We've also created a short document with some background on the legislative priorities called "Why it Matters,” see below.

Our community health network has experienced real uncertainty, loss, and rapid change in the past year, and Washington State has a substantial budget shortfall  of ~ $600 - $700 million. This is a moment of real disruption in community health, and it brings a unique opportunity in advocacy -- rural leadership can very much help shape the 2026 legislative priorities and actions.

Our Advocacy Approach:

  • Pre-session roundtable with legislators: Led by CHI Sector leads

  • Engage with active legislation & new revenue: Testimony, direct conversation and emails with legislators, Letters to Editors to engage others

  • Transition state advocacy to local advocacy: Post-session, look for opportunities to connect priorities to local opportunities

  • Share the platform and regular session updates with the broader CHI and local elected leaders (keep building our long-term skill, relationships, and influence)

How to get involved:

  • Follow Bills and Revenue Opportunities: the CHI will share updates, feel free to email us as well with your insights

  • Speak to legislators: testify on a bill, call or email a representative about a priority; the CHI will share more opportunities

  • Attend Thriving Together NCW Hill Climb Day to meet with elected leaders as a region: Wed, Feb. 18th Thurs. Feb 19th  (Let us know if you're interested ASAP!) 

  • Write Letters to the Editor

Elana Mainer
Next

[Hiring] We’re Hiring a New Okanogan CHI Lead!