Sen. Keiser receives award for children’s health work

OLYMPIA – Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better …

On a landmark day when the governor signed a bill into law to give 38,000 of Washington’s children health-care coverage, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines/Kent, was presented an award for her leadership efforts in steering the bill’s passage.

The Health Coalition for Children and Youth made the presentation today at the bill signing of Senate Bill 5093. The citation thanks Keiser for her “dedication to ensuring all children in Washington have comprehensive affordable health coverage.” Keiser serves as chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.

“Today Washington moves to the national stage for its innovative solutions and strong commitment to children’s health,” Keiser said. “We will provide affordable, cost-effective care that will help our kids be better learners, improve the quality of health care and, in the long run, save us money. Our children are our future — I can’t imagine a more important investment than this.”

The law will expand health-care coverage for children who live at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, currently set at $50,000 for a family of four. More children will be covered in 2009, when access is expanded to include children who live at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $62,000 for a family of four — an important step in assuring that all Washington children have health coverage.

“By passing the bill and the governor signing it into law, 38,000 more of our children will have health-care coverage,” Keiser said. “This is truly a red letter day.”

The bill passed the Senate 38-9 on Feb. 14 and the House 68-28 on March 6.

Return to Sen. Keiser's home page