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News
New study finds health reform’s “best kept secret” could offer more affordable coverage in WA 5/10/2012
Thousands nore could be insured with federal Basic Health Program
SEATTLE - A new study by the Urban Institute offers an independent analysis of the viability in Washington State of the Federal Basic Health Program, a new state option under national health reform that has been called the "best kept secret" of health reform. The report shows that this new program could offer more affordable coverage for low-income Washington residents, resulting in a 9% to 22% increase in health coverage for the eligible population than without the option, reducing the overall number of uninsured.
Rate of Babies Born Electively Before 39 Weeks Falls Dramatically 5/9/2012
Women told, "Healthy babies are worth the wait"
SEATTLE - Washington State hospitals, physicians and expectant mothers have teamed up to deliver a dramatic increase in the number of babies born at full term - 39 weeks - instead of earlier in their pregnancies. They did this by rapidly changing established obstetric practices in place for many years. This change came about because of new research demonstrating the short and long term hazards of delivery prior to 39 weeks.
Preview of hospital-specific elective delivery data 5/7/2012
BACKGROUND: On Wednesday, May 9, health care organizations and state legislators will release hospital-specific data on elective baby deliveries before 39 weeks. This is the first time hospital-specific early elective delivery data will be made public in Washington State.
WHAT: Leaders of partner organizations will describe why reducing early elective deliveries is important and provide a preview of the data via web conference.
Sen. Keiser’s week in review – Apr. 11, 2012 4/12/2012
Third time’s the charm for Kent small business owner 4/10/2012
OLYMPIA - The third time is apparently the charm for legislation passed today that will help one small business owner in Kent, and potentially many others across the state, expand.
House Bill 2491 was first knocked off the Senate floor schedule March 2, when Republicans used a rarely invoked parliamentary motion to gain control of the Senate floor, killing the bill in the regular session. After passing the House again in the special session, the bill was in line to be considered a second time Monday, but extended budget negotiations derailed it yet again. Finally, this morning, HB 2491 passed unanimously off the Senate floor.
Nearly 300 adults receive free vaccination for pertussis at state Legislature 4/9/2012
OLYMPIA - From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, nearly 300 adults lined up for a free pertussis vaccination at the Washington State Legislature. The clinic was arranged by health care committee chairs of the state Senate and House of Representatives to raise awareness and increase concern regarding pertussis, the highly contagious bacterial infection known as whooping cough. Group Health Cooperative provided the vaccinations and staff for the event.
Legislature to host adult whooping cough clinic for the public 4/6/2012
OLYMPIA - The health care committee chairs of the state Senate and House of Representatives have arranged to provide booster shots and immunizations for adults on Monday to focus concern about pertussis, the highly contagious bacterial infection known as whooping cough.
State health officials warn this is one of the worst years in decades in the number of diagnosed cases, with more than 640 cases reported so far, up 90 percent over last year. Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky has advised the public that adults who have not recently received a booster shot may be carriers of the dangerous disease. Very young babies are most at risk as they cannot be immunized at birth and an adult carrier has the potential to infect them with the dangerous, sometimes deadly disease.
Medicaid-fraud reform signed into law 3/30/2012
OLYMPIA - Washington state government today gained an important new tool for pursuing Medicaid fraud through a critical piece of legislation.
Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, and Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, are the leading sponsors of Senate Bill 5978, which immediately adds a "false claims act" to Washington law and sharpens the state's Medicaid fraud-fighting efforts in a way that could recover tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent payments over the next few years.
Keiser introduces bill to fully fund Washington Basic Health without tax increases 3/29/2012
OLYMPIA - As legislators attempt to hammer out a final state budget agreement, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, has introduced a bill to fully fund Washington's Basic Health Plan (BHP) for the first time in more than a decade - without raising taxes raising taxes or diverting funds from other public priorities.
Sen. Keiser’s week in review – Mar. 29 3/29/2012
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