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Northwest Health Law Advocates

EIN 91-1961032 · Seattle, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NoHLA works toward achieving a health care system in which all individuals receive quality, affordable health care, provided on an equitable and timely basis, and are assured of basic rights and protections. NoHLA conducts outreach, education and training, legal and policy analysis to propose policy solutions, and legal representation of low-income individuals on health care access issues of public significance.

Income
$625,033
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
10
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$144,879, co-executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 74% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $207,281 spent. Analyzed legal and policy issues impacting Washington patients & consumers and provided related input to state & federal government policymakers on proposed rules, procedures, and programs related to health care access and affordability issues . Areas of focus in 2025 included: leveraging state subsidies and insurance plan design to improve affordability of individual health coverage; implementing health coverage programs for immigrants; addressing medical debt and health care billing problems stemming from insurer denials or hospital charity care issues; mitigating language access barriers in health programs; resolving Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term care eligibility and coverage issues; and implementing recent changes in federal health laws on a state level. Led stakeholder groups and worked with agencies to address the impact of federal and state laws on low-income populations. Mentored other advocates in drafting comments on regulations and policies. Developed and analyzed a survey of WA residents on the impact of health care affordability challenges to inform input.
  2. $276,375 spent. Advocated with state and federal government policymakers, focusing on improving health care access and affordability for Washington patients & consumers through legislative, budget, or legal changes. Areas of focus in 2025 included: expanding state health coverage programs for immigrants, expanding state affordability assistance for individual health coverage, and addressing underlying drivers of affordability challenges, including high provider prices and health entity consolidation.
  3. $207,281 spent. Provided over 50 trainings & presentations, & numerous publications, electronic newsletters & social media postings providing educational information on health care and coverage rights, health access for immigrants, administrative advocacy, changes to public programs and health care and coverage, reproductive health rights, Medicaid, Washington Health Benefit Exchange, charity care & immigrant health, reaching thousands of advocates, lawyers, health providers, & individuals. Held free community webinars on health care policy changes arising from the Washington legislative session and reproductive health issues arising from litigation. Presented in public meetings of government bodies, such as the Washington Health Benefit Exchange and the Washington Health Care Cost Transparency Board. Revised & drafted educational publications on consumer/patient health rights for Washington LawHelp, NoHLA website, and general distribution. Provided regular legislative updates on Washington health care access legislation & budget to the community. Provided over 130 consultations for legal services & private attorneys, providers, community advocates & law students on health programs & access to care.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.