Efforts to reform the state’s outdated and inefficient health care system are on schedule following the passage of three key bills sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent.
The bills reduce administrative costs, improve access to health information, and pave the way for health care reform.
“These bills put us on a good path toward systemic change,” Keiser said. “Our efforts, along with the Obama administration’s commitment to turning this outdated system around, give us reason to be optimistic. Our goal is to ensure that every Washingtonian has access to quality, affordable health care. We will get there by working together with our local and federal partners.”
Washington Health Partnership
Senate Bill 5945 sets the stage for long-term health care reform in partnership with the Obama administration. The legislation, among other things, creates an advisory group to monitor the status and outcomes of state activities and federal actions related to health care reform. The bill also authorizes state agencies to submit a federal request to expand the Medicaid program to cover more low income people.
Health Care Administration
Senate Bill 5346, known as the Health Efficiencies Act, is intended to drive down health care costs over time by establishing uniform standards to be followed by all health plans. Currently, 30 cents of every dollar is spent on administration.
Health Information Security
The United States is lagging behind every other industry and every other country when it comes to electronic medical records. Senate Bill 5501, which has bipartisan support, calls for the development of guidelines and standards to improve patient access to and control of their health care information. Guidelines would be established to ensure that clinical data is exchanged securely.
This information exchange is designed to work with the Obama administration’s initiatives to bring health care information into the 21st century.
All three bills have passed the House and Senate and now await the governor’s signature.
Robby Stern, Chair of the Healthy Washington Coalition, applauded the Legislature’s actions.
“The Healthy Washington Coalition is very pleased that SB 5945, prime sponsored by Sen. Keiser, has received approval by both chambers of the WA legislature,” Stern said. “This bill creates a goal of quality, affordable health care coverage for all Washingtonians by 2014 and puts in place a process, in cooperation with the federal government, for Washington to achieve that goal. It is a beacon of light in these very difficult economic times.”
The Healthy Washington Coalition is the largest health care reform organization in the state. It is comprised of labor unions, business organizations, health care providers, hospitals, and consumer and public interest groups.