Keiser honored for leadership in funding children’s health insurance

OLYMPIA – It was one of the capstone accomplishments of the Legislature in the session that adjourned in April. Thanks to the tenacity and leadership of Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, 39,000 more children in Washington will have health insurance. For this success, she was awarded the “Public Policy Maker” award by the South King Council of Human Services.

“We started the session with big dreams,” Keiser said. “One of my biggest was giving our kids the health services they need to stay healthy and be successful in school.”

Washington has moved to the national stage for its innovative solutions and strong commitment to children’s health, Keiser explained.

“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.”

Keiser, who serves as chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, was responsible for a host of bills, since signed into law, which launched the health care reform movement in the state. Chief among them are measures to reward positive health outcomes instead of paying for services; creating a Health Insurance Partnership to give small employers more affordable options to cover their employees; and boost funding for nursing and boarding homes.

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