legislative update june 2015 wcomo. state budget timeline jan 12 legislative session begins – 105...
TRANSCRIPT
Legislative Update
June 2015
WCOMO
State Budget Timeline
Jan 12
Legislative session begins –
105 days long
Feb 19
Revenue Forecast
May 18
Revenue Forecast
Budget Proposals
Late March
April 26
Regular Session Ends
Government Shutdown
May - June
June 31
Special Sessions
2015 – 2017 Budget
House vs. Senate
House:Spending Level: $38.5 BIncludes New Revenue
Senate:Spending Level: $37.9 B
Transfers, Cuts, Marijuana Revenue
WA Tax Structure
Budget and Bill Highlights
Medicaid Equity:Bright Futures
Workforce Shortage: Expand State Loan
Repayment Program
Protect Safety Net Programs Exchange SustainabilitySingle Point of Entry
Proposal to Expand State Loan Repayment Program
• Requesting $7.8M to restore the program back to pre-2011 levels
• Included in both the House and Senate budgets
• Coalition of supporters, including medical, dental, nurses and hospital associations
Protect Safety Net Programs
• Untouched at this point
• Could face cuts in negotiations
• Still very important to prevent cuts to Medicaid and other important health care programs
Bright Futures• Bringing more equity to Medicaid
Coverage
• SB 5317 requires Medicaid to cover all recommended developmental and autism screenings
• Signed by Gov. Inslee on June 10th
• Still need to secure funding
Exchange Funding• Different funding levels proposed in House
vs. Senate budget• Advocates working to
– Maintain Stability– Ensure strong consumer support– Minimize financial impact on consumers by
maintaining the premium tax allocation for the Exchange
Single Point of Entry• Allowing CSOs to have access to
Healthplanfinder• Included in both House and Senate
budgets• Developing procedures for how this will
be implemented
www.SaveHealthCareinWA.org
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Carrie GloverWithinReach
Katie HewittCommunity Health Network of WA