Senate passes bill to bring health care to children

OLYMPIA – Saying that she “couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with this gift to the children of Washington,” Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, joined with colleagues yesterday to help pass Senate Bill 5093. The measure to bring health insurance to more than 32,000 low-income children passed the Senate on a 38-9 vote.

“Two years ago, we embarked on a mission to cover all children with health insurance by 2010,” Keiser said. “With this bill, we continue to make good on that promise. By insuring kids, we can get them the primary care they need to stay healthy and in school. By keeping kids healthy, we build communities and futures.”

SB 5093 would direct the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to create a seamless health coverage system for all children younger that 19 with family incomes at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Families with access to employer-sponsored insurance would be directed to enroll in that employer’s coverage when it is cost-effective for the state. To bring more children under this umbrella, DSHS would conduct outreach activities to inform families of the program.

“This is a wellness-based approach to health care,” Keiser said. “By giving kids a medical home, we can improve health outcomes through the coordination of preventive and well-child care.

This will cut back on expensive emergency room visits. Covering these children will mean healthier lives and reduced health-care costs.”

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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