Governor Gregoire released her proposed 2010 budget on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Gregorie’s budget includes eliminating the Basic Health Program The plan covers those making less than $21,600 per year, or $36,000 for a family of three.There is currently a waiting list for low income families needing basic health care.
This governor who ran on priorities of education and health care has different priorities once she was elected. All the programs important to the elderly, families and low income people are out the window however the unions will get a nice healthy raise, reportedly around $83 million dollars!
Union state workers will be getting pay increases next year, says The Olympian. Cuts? Yes, there are, but not where the unions have power. The Tacoma News Tribune says state workers are willing to share the pain, but their leaders won’t allow them to.vy financial impact on states with steep increases of state participation in Medicaid? How will the state afford more money to Medicaid while they apparently can’t pay for what the state offers for the elderly, poor and un-insured?
In addition to cutting the Basic Health Plan, Gregorie will also be cutting prescription drug assistance and the General Assistance for the Unemployable program. Gregoire plans to submit an alternative budget next month which she says will restore some of the proposed cuts in the current proposal. The new budget will most likely include more tax increases!
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) voted for the Healthcare reform bill on Christmas Eve. At the same time their states Governor Christine Gregoire’s has made drastic budget cuts to healthcare. The state of Washington is currently facing a $2.6 billion budget shortage. Apparently Democrats believe in do what I say not as I do!
Below are excerpts from the Office of Financial Management for Washington State, that affect healthcare services to the elderly and poor:
Family Caregiver Support Reduction – The Family Caregiver Respite Program (free assistance finding the right skilled assisted living facility) provides respite care for relatives who provide unpaid care to elderly and disabled family members who would otherwise enter a residential or institutional facility. Many families providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without some support, such as respite. Respite provides the much needed temporary break from the often exhausting challenges faced by the family caregiver. This program is reduced by ten percent beginning July 1, 2010.
Reduce Senior Citizens Services Act – The state portion of the Senior Citizens Services Act funding is reduced. Beginning July 1, 2010, all funding is suspended except what is required for maintenance of effort funding that is necessary to retain federal match for local information and assistance programs.
Adult Day Health - The savings assumption for the elimination of Adult Day Health services in the 2009-11 Biennial Budget is reversed due to a lawsuit. (General Fund-State, General Fund-Federal)
Level of Care for Medicaid Personal Care Clients – The state has the option of setting eligibility levels for Medicaid Personal Care (MPC), an optional service under the Medicaid program. New standards will equal nursing facility level of care. This will cause 700 in-home and residential clients to lose MPC benefits. (General Fund-State, General Fund-Federal)
Adult Day Health – Revised Savings - A court decision blocked the 2009-11 decision to only offer Adult Day Health services to in-home clients, resulting in lower savings than were assumed in the biennial budget. All clients who were previously denied services will be reinstated by December. The program will move to a 1915(i) Medicaid state plan option as of January 1, 2010 and enrollment will be capped. (General Fund-State, General Fund-Federal)
Suspend Volunteer Chore – The state-funded Volunteer Chore program is suspended as of July 1, 2010. The program arranges for volunteers to provide assistance for senior citizens living in their own homes, who are not eligible for Medicaid, with tasks such as yardwork, household chores, and minor home repairs.
Expedite Nursing Home Discharges Additional – nursing home discharge staff will provide outreach, financial counseling, and assistance with obtaining necessary services and supports to help an additional 700 Medicai d nursing home residents move to community care residential settings when they are ready. This is a less costly option than staying longer than necessary in the more expensive nursing home setting. (General Fund-State, General Fund-Federal).
For more info: Gov Gregoire budget can be found here. – Governor’s 2010 supplemental
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