We breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing the news Thursday night that the latest efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had failed. A few Republican Senators voted no: our collective phone calls, messages, conversations and personal stories were pivotal in achieving this outcome. But the fight is not over. The Senate...Continue reading→

Our friend, Jane*, is also breathing a sigh of relief. Jane is a gardener who was uninsured for most of her adult life – until the Affordable Care Act made coverage a reality. For years, Jane dealt with various health issues that challenged her ability to make a living. When she enrolled in Washington’s Medicaid...Continue reading→

Today, the Senate is expected to vote on a new version of ACA repeal legislation. After votes on other versions failed, Republicans may now pursue a “skinny” repeal bill – but its contents remain unclear and it could be beefed up. If passed, this bill could either be directly voted on by the House, or...Continue reading→

While everyone’s eyes have been on the Senate, the House Budget Committee passed a budget resolution along party lines last week. The resolution cuts $487 billion from Medicare and $114 billion in savings from Medicaid above and beyond those included in the House-passed health care reform bill. These would be devastating on top of the...Continue reading→

After a lengthy 193-day session, the Legislature adjourned last week, approving an operating budget in the nick of time but failing to pass capital budget. The operating budget effectively cuts the already underfunded Medicaid dental benefit by requiring a switch from fee-for-service to a carved-out dental managed care arrangement, pairing the move with unrealistic savings...Continue reading→