It’s the law: Marr bill extends health coverage to 38,000 uninsured children

OLYMPIA — When he chaired the board of directors of Empire Health Services prior to being elected to the state Senate, Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, saw firsthand the far-reaching consequences of children without health coverage.

“The impacts are many and they are severe,” Marr said. “Kids miss important screenings. When they do get sick, they wind up in costly emergency rooms instead of doctors’ offices. Finally, that expense is passed on to those who do have health insurance in the form of higher rates.”

All that will change for 38,000 children across the state, thanks to a bill signed into law today by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Senate Bill 5093, sponsored by Marr, makes good on the state’s commitment to provide health care to all children by 2010.

“Today is an important day for our kids and anyone who cares about rational health care,” Marr said. “It not only makes them healthier kids, it will ultimately make them better health-care consumers.”

Gregoire cited strong bipartisan support for the bill, which passed on a 38-9 vote in the Senate and a 68-28 vote in the House of Representatives.

“We are a leader among leaders in the entire United States,” Gregoire said. “This makes sure our kids have a medical home, which I hope will soon be the true for all adults as well.”

Since taking office, the governor has steadily added more children to the health insurance rolls, but nearly 75,500 Washington children remain uninsured. Marr’s bill is projected to extend coverage to 38,000 of those children by 2009.

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