This Washington
You Haven't Seen Gov. Gregoire Act This Gubernatorial Since Her Days as AG.
Camden reported on Gov. Chris Gregoire's press conference yesterday. But it's worth watching a performance like this yourself. Check out the video
.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Ng5lYw3kE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
The "inequity" that Gov. Gregoire keeps referring to is the flaw in the current Medicare formula that gives lower payouts to states with less expensive coverage. This has consistently screwed over
Washington state where our focus on preventive care (like at Group Health) has brought down our health care costs relative to other states but, in turn, lowered federal payouts to our system.
And her point about bringing money into the Basic Health Plan is a reference to the work Sen. Maria Cantwell did getting an amendment into the health care bill that backs up state plans with federal money.
It's worth noting that Cantwell's state plan model—based on the BHP—provides coverage to the working poor (people making 200 percent of poverty) as opposed to Medicaid's stricter requirments and also gives states the hefty bargaining power that comes with government run plans.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Ng5lYw3kE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
The "inequity" that Gov. Gregoire keeps referring to is the flaw in the current Medicare formula that gives lower payouts to states with less expensive coverage. This has consistently screwed over
Washington state where our focus on preventive care (like at Group Health) has brought down our health care costs relative to other states but, in turn, lowered federal payouts to our system.
And her point about bringing money into the Basic Health Plan is a reference to the work Sen. Maria Cantwell did getting an amendment into the health care bill that backs up state plans with federal money.
It's worth noting that Cantwell's state plan model—based on the BHP—provides coverage to the working poor (people making 200 percent of poverty) as opposed to Medicaid's stricter requirments and also gives states the hefty bargaining power that comes with government run plans.
