2009 Legislative Session: Devastating cuts to healthcare

The 2009 state legislative session just concluded, leaving us with some huge challenges ahead but also some notable victories.

The Legislature made significant budget cuts over the next two years in healthcare, education and social services. Legislators voted down a tax increase, so cuts were inevitable and we fought to protect vital services as much as possible.

Healthcare cuts total over $1 billion, including major cuts in:

Programs like the Basic Health Plan and Healthy Options, which serve low and moderate income people;
Payments to hospitals for Medicaid patients and other low-income patients;
Outpatient services for children and adults;
Community mental health: millions in cuts (Medicaid and non-Medicaid and innovative programs)
Chemical dependency treatment services: $15 million in cuts.
Reduce 30 beds available at Western State Hospital by 2010.
No cost of living increase (COLA) for state employees the next 2 years (this does not include HMC employees).
Budget & program cuts in both DSHS & DOH.

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1199NW State Nurses Sue Governor To Protect Patient Care

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW registered nurses today filed suit in King County to protect patient care and public safety in state psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, and schools for developmentally disabled and juvenile offenders.

Governor Gregoire’s proposed 2009-2011 state budget does not include funding for collectively bargained compensation and benefits for state nurses needed during a nursing shortage. The lawsuit asks the court to compel the Governor to submit a revised state budget that includes the terms of the negotiated contract agreement.

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What's wrong with the Governor's proposed budget?

Governor Gregoire’s proposed state budget harms our state’s most vulnerable citizens, fails to protect public safety, and violates our collective bargaining rights.

We believe the Governor has violated her legal duty and the integrity of our contract by not including bargained contractual improvements in her proposed state budget.
The governor proposes to close the Yakima Valley School and Naselle Youth Camp. Closing these facilities won’t improve patient care and will devastate local communities.
The governor also proposes significant cuts to the Basic Health Plan, community mental health, chemical dependency, and hospital reimbursements. She also proposes to eliminate medical coupons and housing assistance to very poor vulnerable citizens in the General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU) program. These short-sighted cuts mean more people will go without healthcare and needed services.
Now the Legislature reviews the Governor’s proposed budget and can make changes, and that’s why it’s up to members like us to email legislators, testify, and work to protect funding for our programs. The Legislature must pass a final 2009-2011 state budget by the end of April.

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