Moving Ahead on Health Care Reform Congressman Denny Heck Named
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Moving Forward, United January 2013 Edition Moving Ahead on Health Care Reform By Mike Kreidler with no co-pay . includ- Blue Cross and Regence Washington State Insurance ing, yes, FDA-approved Blue Shield are each sitting Commissioner contraception methods and on over $1 billion in surplus contraceptive counseling, in excess of their reserves. s our state moves but also things like breast- If only the state budget had forward in imple- feeding support, supplies, that kind of extra cash, menting the Patient and counseling and domes- right? I should not have to A tic violence screening and ignore this elephant in the Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) many of counseling. Unlike Ryan I room. the “patient protections” think we can agree that’s an We face critical time- are already in effect. Kids important gain. lines. The Healthplanfinder with preexisting conditions Now comes the hard part is self-governing and must can get insurance – and . putting the “affordable” be operational by this Octo- stay on parents’ insurance into effect. In a state with ber for 2014 coverage. My up to age 26. For those over one million uninsured office must approve plan my age, Medicare now cov- residents, receiving over filings by then. The state’s ers preventative services $1 billion in uncompensated Health Care Authority will – without deductibles for care, coverage cannot be charged with Medicaid essential screenings like come soon enough. Likely expansion – which I know mammograms or those for no fewer than 178,000 Governor-elect Jay Inslee cervical or prostate cancer. would qualify for Medicaid wants to pursue. Furthermore, as anyone expansion paid for 100% To all of this is added the watching Congressman Paul by the federal government complexity of legislative Ryan’s rant during the vice – assuming the state takes power dynamics, the transi- presidential debate knows, that good deal – while more tion to a new governor, and a women are now entitled to will qualify for premium sub- federal government without many preventative services sidies through what is called expertise in state-regulated an “exchange” – a state-run insurance. Healthplanfinder – that will My foremost priority will operate like Expedia. be to protect consumers For many of those buying half their health care costs shock that may not be during this process. These their own insurance, pre- through co-pays or deduct- entirely offset by subsidies. are exciting times but chal- mium costs will rise at least ibles. Under PPACA they One way to help: Give my lenging ones too. The PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WA OLYMPIA, 107 NO. PERMIT initially. That is because will pay no more than 40%, office the statutory author- transition will be bumpy most in the individual market as they will have no less ity that exists in other states and will require patience. I have what could be called than what is referred to as to factor carrier surplus into have no doubt lessons will “tin” plans – of less than “Bronze” coverage. Elevat- rate review. Presently I be learned and adjustments 50% actuarial value. That ing plans to “Bronze” level must entirely ignore the fact made. But I think we will like means they pay more than will produce some sticker that nonprofits like Premera the journey’s end. Congressman Denny Heck Named to House Financial Services Committee Committee. Accordingly he will give housing sector. I’m also The Committee is one up his seat on the House looking forward to ensuring of only four “exclusive” Budget Committee, a non- that the 2010 Wall Street committees in the House. exclusive committee, to reforms are implemented The others are Appropria- accept this high-profile so that Washington fami- tions, Ways and Means and appointment. Only six other lies are protected from a Energy and Commerce. members of the 49-member repeat of the actions that The House Financial freshman Democratic class led up to the 2008 financial Services Committee has were named to exclusive crisis. With major employ- jurisdiction over federal committees, and Heck will ers, credit unions, financial housing policy, Wall Street be the only member from institutions, and a burgeon- reform, consumer pro- the Pacific Northwest to ing tech-start up industry, tection, and commercial serve on Financial Services. Washington has a tremen- insurance and banking “I’m thrilled to be named dous and growing stake in issues. This committee was to the House Financial Ser- the work done under juris- Denny Heck’s top request vices Committee,” Heck diction of the Committee.” for committee assignment. said. “No sustainable eco- To catch up on every- n a rare appointment Due to the expansive nomic recovery can occur thing our congressman is for a freshman member list of policy concerns that in this country without a doing for us, see his web- Iof Congress, Thurston fall within the Committee’s strong start in the housing site at http://dennyheck. County’s own 10th District jurisdiction, members who sector. The House Finan- house.gov. You can also Congressman Denny Heck serve on one of the four cial Services Committee contact his Washington DC has been selected by his exclusive committees are has the opportunity to con- office at 202-225-9740 or colleagues to serve on the not permitted to serve on tinue promoting the recent his district office in Lacey Thurston County Democrats County Thurston 164 Box PO 98507-0164 WA Olympia House Financial Services other House committees. growth we’ve seen in the at 360-459-8514. 2 THE DEMOCRAT January 2013 Democrats Must Act! Our combined efforts councils impact our quality By Roger Erskine liked President Obama’s candidates. The Commis- accomplished what all the of life. We will be actively Chair Thurston County Democrats Inaugural Speech! sioners expect to announce It got even better when election pros said was organizing in each of our The New York Times pub- their choice on Jan 29. We awesome – the drop off of cities. We need to elect lished “We must act” the he announced on Tuesday know it will be a Republican. voters, from the top of the council members who are day after Barack Obama that his fantastic Organizing But there will a county-wide slate to the end of the bal- committed to our values – was sworn in as our Presi- for America – which turned election to fill that office this lot, is viewed as successful the values that we adopted dent. As many of you know, into Organizing for Obama year and we will be support- if it doesn’t exceed 8%. In at our last Thurston County on the back of my business – had morphed into Organiz- ing a Democratic candidate. Thurston County it was less Democratic Party Conven- card I have included a quote ing for Action. I am excited This means we will be crank- than 3%! tion. that describes my view on because that matches up ing up countywide to elect The other sides’ Big Two Port of Olympia com- life – “To live is not merely with our efforts as we head our candidate. Money lost to our own Boots missioners will also be on to breathe – it is to act”. into a very IMPORTANT elec- We all know that in some on the Ground strategy. So this year’s election ballot. So, like many others, I really tion year. places in our country there when our President says it is Fellow Democrat Jeff Davis In 2012, the Thurston are actions to restrict par- time to ACT – he could be is up for re-election and has Thurston County County Democrats orga- ticipation of voters. There Democrats talking about the Thurston earned our continuing sup- nized a“boots on the is no place for these in County Democrats. port. We are now waiting www.thurstondemocrats.org ground” strategy to elect Thurston County. The Demo- Now it is 2013, and we to see who else enters the Membership Meetings our endorsed candidates, cratic Party is clear on this: have new challenges. This race. Fourth Monday of every month from President all the way We will tolerate NO require- at Thurston County Courthouse year we have critical elec- With the election of Kim to County Commissioners. ments, rules or procedures Bldg. 1, Rm. 152, 7 p.m. tions in each of our cities, Wyman as Secretary of By my count, 1186 Thur- that could be used to pre- 2011-12 OFFICERS the Port of Olympia, and State, there is a vacancy in ston County Democrats vent any eligible voter from Roger Erskine, Chair one very important Thurston the Thurston County Audi- participated directly in our voting. [email protected] County election. tor’s office. By law, the organizing efforts. They In the coming weeks Doug Bell, 1st Vice Chair knocked on doors, made The majority of seats in County Commissioners [email protected] and months I will be seek- phone calls to voters, reg- each city council are on the must select one of three Susan Herring, ing ways to engage more ballot. These elections are candidates endorsed by the 2nd Vice Chair istered voters, attended voters in activities that will [email protected] CRITICAL. We all know that PCOs in the political party rallies and fund raisers, strengthen our party as we Katrina Wynkoop Simmons, actions taken in the Lacey, of the person leaving the attended discussion groups, work collectively to make Secretary Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm, office. The Thurston County [email protected] had conversations with Thurston County’s quality Tenino, Rainier, and Roch- Republican Party has sub- Christine Garst, Treasurer neighbors and colleagues of life even better than it is ester City councils impacts mitted three names, and [email protected] at work, sent political mes- today.