Jolt
Afternoon Jolt
Today's Loser: 15,000 Newly Uninsured Washington Residents
Today, the state house passed legislation to bring the state's Basic Health Plan (subsidized health care for the poor) into compliance with the supplemental budget—the $1.1 billion in budget maneuvers last month that, among other things, tightened eligibility requirements for the Basic Health Plan —for about $15 million in savings.
The new requirements bring the threshold down from 200 to 133 percent of the federal poverty line. If your income is more than 133 percent of poverty ($24,352 for a family of three), you're off the plan. Also, anyone who's undocumented—even if they make less than 133 percent of poverty—are off. In fact, kicking undocumented workers off the plan accounts for most of the 15,000 people who are out of luck today.
Today's Winner: The Puget Sound
It's a bona fide winning streak for environmentalists in Olympia.
Yesterday a bill to make oil companies get an emergency oil spill response plan in place—ponying up for new equipment and training—passed the house, 62-35.
Today an (albeit watered down version) passed the senate, 46-3. The senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Kevin Ranker (D-40, San Juan Island).
Today, the state house passed legislation to bring the state's Basic Health Plan (subsidized health care for the poor) into compliance with the supplemental budget—the $1.1 billion in budget maneuvers last month that, among other things, tightened eligibility requirements for the Basic Health Plan —for about $15 million in savings.
The new requirements bring the threshold down from 200 to 133 percent of the federal poverty line. If your income is more than 133 percent of poverty ($24,352 for a family of three), you're off the plan. Also, anyone who's undocumented—even if they make less than 133 percent of poverty—are off. In fact, kicking undocumented workers off the plan accounts for most of the 15,000 people who are out of luck today.
Today's Winner: The Puget Sound
It's a bona fide winning streak for environmentalists in Olympia.
Yesterday a bill to make oil companies get an emergency oil spill response plan in place—ponying up for new equipment and training—passed the house, 62-35.
Today an (albeit watered down version) passed the senate, 46-3. The senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Kevin Ranker (D-40, San Juan Island).
