Communities Connect 2010 legislative priorities:
Maintain Safety-ProgramsNew revenue is needed to secure our safety net
1. We want to live in a Washington where all people have access to affordable, comprehensive care.
2. New revenue resources are needed both to deal with this immediate crisis, and to ensure long-term stability in our social safety net. Our spending is not out of control, our revenue stream is inadequate.
Basic Health
Basic Health is a critical component to the healthcare safety net. For some, it serves as a transition between state sponsored and private insurance coverage and provides a vehicle for low income individuals (many working) to access coverage on a sliding fee basis. In short, it addresses the largest growing number of uninsured, low income adults who are not eligible for any other programs.
1. Preserve and retain Basic Health as currently exists
2. Identify new revenue streams to support infrastructure
General Assistance for Unemployable
GAU is a state-funded program that provides small cash grants and medical coverage to low-income persons who are disabled and unable to work due to a physical or mental disability. The Governor proposed eliminating the GAU program to help address the deficit in her biennial budget. Elimination would have a detrimental effect on the men and women who rely on GAU and would have created higher costs in other areas of the budget. Restore funding for GAU
Children’s Access
Maintain Washington State’s investment in children’s health. These programs are vital for families, providing a needed safety net to maintain health coverage.
1. Maintain Apple Health For Kids at current levels
2. Ensure access to Provider One for Community Collaboratives
3. Restore cuts to interpreter services programs
