Legislative Update

December 2014

WCOMO

2014 Election Results

• No substantial change in make-up of Senate

• Democrats control House with 50 seats– 1 seat vacant

• Initiative 1351 passes

2

State Budget TimelineSep & Nov Revenue Forecasts

Nov 4 Election DayNov/Dec Governor releases budget proposal

Jan 12 Legislative session begins – 105 days long

Feb/March Senate and House each propose a budget

April/May Budgets passed by House and Senate

May/June Governor signs budget; legislature adjourns

July 1 New fiscal year starts

2015 – 2017 Budget• State must produce a balanced

budget• $1B budget shortfall

- McCleary Decision - $1.2 – $1.8B- I-1351 - ~$2B

Increasing Medicaid Costs• Silver tsunami: Baby boomers lead to

more dual eligibles, pressuring state Medicaid long-term care budget

• Federal support for expansion phases down to 95% starting in CY 2017, state needs to pay 5%

• Welcome mat increases state costs above projections

Legislative Priority: Ensure Access to Care

Protect Safety Net Programs

Workforce Shortage: Re-fund and Expand

State Loan Repayment Program

Support Behavioral Health Integration

Affordable Coverage: Support Evaluation of

Affordability and Continuity of Care

Advocacy Tools That Work!

– Stories personalize the issues– Clinic cards steadily get our

message across– Emails can be forwarded to

your contacts easily– Phone calls are nimble– Facebook & media stories

spread the message

www.SaveHealthCareinWA.org

• FAST — Online action is a fast way to respond to the Legislature

• STRATEGIC — Legislators receive emails during critical points

• EASY — Sign up at the website

• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Take action yourself. Pass it on.

Questions?

Carrie Glover, WithinReachKatie Hewitt, Community Health Network of WA