Tagged: Affordable Care Act

Abortion-rights supporters say they have enough votes to pass a controversial insurance mandate measure in the Washington state Senate. But it appears unlikely to clear a Republican-led health care committee before a Wednesday deadline.

Things got testy Monday at a public hearing on the measure. Democrat Karen Keiser urged Republican Chair Randi Becker to allow a committee vote on the bill.

“It’s the right thing to do and I would really ask you to consider my request,” Keiser said. To which Becker responded, “Thank you. We’ll consider it.”

OLYMPIA, Wash. – More than 100 health care advocates gathered in Olympia in support of Medicaid expansion Thursday. It coincided with an announcement by Gov. Jay Inslee, unveiling his budget priorities. His proposal includes an expansion of Medicaid.

That pleases Lauren Granger, a healthcare worker at the rally.

“I really hope that the legislature hears this message and isn’t pinching pennies in the wrong place and just have it be more expensive later on,” she says.

Democrat Jay Inslee made his first public appearance since he won the election. The governor-elect spoke yesterday (Wed) at a health care policy conference in SeaTac. As Ruby de Luna reports, Inslee reiterated his commitment to change health care in Washington state through the Affordable Care Act.

In less than 10 months, Washington State will launch its own health exchange. The exchange is part of the Affordable Care Act. It’s an online marketplace where people can buy health insurance. It’s like Expedia for health plans. But as Ruby de Luna reports, insurance brokers are apprehensive about the exchange. Many fear it will have a negative impact on their livelihood, just like Expedia removed the need for travel agents.