Some Health Care Priorities May be restored!

“While we are still analyzing the details, it appears the House Ways and Means Committee responded to concerns shared about the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors and found ways to retain most of the funding for Disability Lifeline and full funding for Apple Health for Kids in its proposed 2011 Supplemental Operating Budget. The Committee also came up with a creative way to fund the Basic Health Plan, which still has a few people worried, however, it appears the plan would continue. The Governor eliminated the Basic Health Plan and Disability Lifeline, and terminated coverage 27,000 children currently receive through Apple Health for Kids in her proposed 2011 Supplemental Operation Budget. We will have a more detailed report soon.”

Action Items: 

1. Let members of the House Ways and Means Committee know full funding for the Basic Health Plan, Disability Lifeline, Apple Health for Kids, and Community Health Clinics is vital to the health and well being of all Washingtonians.
2. Thank House Ways and Means Committee members for including funding for these programs in their 2011 Supplemental Operating Budget.
3. Encourage Committee members to make sure this funding is part of the 2011 Supplemental Operating Budget when it is passed out of Committee and referred to the House floor.