Last weekend, Washington State lost an extraordinary leader with the death of Frank Chopp. Frank was the longest-serving Speaker of the Washington State House. WSHA had the great privilege of working with Frank on many issues, most significantly the Basic Health Plan, Apple Health for Kids, the Medicaid expansion, tobacco taxes and mental health parity.
Frank was brilliant, strategic, passionate and effective. Many of these programs would not exist without Frank’s leadership. He was a master of “take the step you can today so you can take another step tomorrow.” For example, Apple Health for Kids was a multi-year strategy to expand in increments – and we now have among the lowest rates of children’s uninsurance in the country.
Frank’s death is a loss for me, personally. I am shocked that he died at age 71 and so soon after his retirement from the Legislature. I met Frank before he was in the Legislature, when I was a graduate school intern at the Children’s Alliance and he was leading the Fremont Public Association. He was immediately helpful to and interested in me, and was very supportive of and instrumental in my early career. A mutual friend from the Legislature texted me, “Frank was always so proud of you and all that you have done!”
We send our condolences to his wife, Nancy, and to his friends and family, and celebrate his incredible legacy. Millions of Washingtonians benefit every day from Frank’s dedication to making their lives better.
Sincerely,
Cassie Sauer
WSHA President & CEO
cassies@wsha.org
