A health care system that works

Senate Democrats made unprecedented progress on reforming our broken health and long-term care system this legislative session. We took enormous strides in bringing affordable access to high-quality options for Washington residents.

The list of accomplishments is as impressive as it is broad:

• We launched a comprehensive overhaul by passing the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform bill. The legislation changes the way we pay for and provide health care. Its highlights include:
• Rewarding outcomes rather than merely paying for services;
• Reducing unnecessary emergency room visits;
• Using a “connector” to link small businesses with affordable options;
• Promoting electronic records to improve treatment and reduce errors; and
• Allowing coverage of dependent children younger than 25.
• We provided the $29.8 million necessary to pay health-care costs for 39,000 more children. Our “cover all kids” by the year 2010 policy is virtually achieved with this legislation and funding.
• We created the Health Insurance Partnership for small employers who cannot afford to provide health insurance for employees. This new voluntary program will give employers more affordable options and access to tax breaks, and give employees portable insurance they can afford.
• We expanded the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to include adult family homes, and funded a University of Washington Geriatric Education Center grant to develop an adult family home certification and training program.
• We funded the Eldercare Alliance agenda, which included $8.8 million for our senior centers, adult day health programs, voluntary chore programs and home care providers.
• We required that health insurance plans issued or renewed after July 1, 2008, cover colorectal cancer exams and lab tests. These benefits must be provided to those at least 50 years of age and to those younger than 50 if they are at high risk according to screening deadlines or recommendations.
• We required school districts that offer sexual health education to assure it is medically and scientifically accurate and age appropriate, and includes information on abstinence, the only method that prevents pregnancy. However, abstinence cannot be taught to the exclusion of other methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
• We required mental illness to be treated on a par with physical illness. In 2005, we passed legislation that requires commercial health policies covering more than 50 employees to offer coverage for mental illness equivalent to that offered for physical illnesses. Now we continue that course by requiring individual and small group plans to do the same.
• We ensured that loved ones who reside in boarding homes are safely cared for. If the Department of Social and Health Services determines the health, safety or welfare of residents is in immediate jeopardy, it may appoint a temporary manager to assure safe and appropriate care and services.
• We initiated a program to require hospitals to post information on the rate of hospital-acquired infections on a Web site to be maintained by the state Department of Health. This will help consumers make informed choices about inpatient care.

Thanks to these bold actions taken by Senate Democrats, Washington’s families will grow up healthier, have access to affordable health care and be protected in their senior years.

Cover photo: "Doctor and Child" by David Mason, used according to license restrictions itemized under Wikipedia's Creative Commons.