Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published April 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 13, 2007 at 2:02 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Legislature 2007

Health-care measure advances in state House

The state House passed a vast health-care measure Thursday that supporters say will improve Washington's system, but opponents say does...

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The state House passed a vast health-care measure Thursday that supporters say will improve Washington's system, but opponents say does nothing to help small businesses and families.

The measure was approved 61-34. House Health Care and Wellness Committee Chairwoman Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, said she expects the Senate to sign off on the changes, with the bill then going to the governor.

Gov. Christine Gregoire's health-care adviser, Christina Hulet, said the governor is on board with the House version of the bill.

The measure is based on the 16 recommendations made by the governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access.

"When it comes to health care we have not found the silver bullet that will solve all of our problems," Cody said. "With this bill what we've done is take a bunch of little steps."

"This doesn't provide a single benefit to small businesses and families," said Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, ranking member of the House Health Care committee. "I think it's too bad; it's a missed opportunity."

Among other things, the measure would encourage care that has been proved to work, start health-promotion programs for state employees, and allow online access to the University of Washington Health Science Library.

It also encourages the use of electronic medical records, which supporters say will improve safety and lower costs, while promoting better care of patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Mellani Hughes McAleenan, governmental-affairs director for the Association of Washington Business, said she was "heartbroken" by the measure.

"This bill as it passed out of the House does nothing to help small business," McAleenan said.

The measure includes the creation of a pilot program that would modify the current small-employer health-insurance partnership and rename it the "Health Insurance Partnership." It would be a test-run for a potentially larger pool, in which a state board would act as the "connector" between people and insurers.

The idea behind the connector is that the state could negotiate for lower health-insurance rates for the large pool. Supporters said the connector program could move the state toward universal health care.

It's based on a test program in Massachusetts. McAleenan said the state should wait to see how the idea works there before adopting the changes.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Seattle Center, schools reach pact to tear down Memorial Stadium

Danny Westneat: Red-light tickets veer off course

County executive sworn in, lays out agenda for first 100 days

Teenage pimp convicted of human trafficking

Address of deputy accused of assault found in Monfort home, sources say

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising