SEIU members are ready to start working on healthcare reform
Governor Chris Gregoire unveiled her proposal to get Washington state ready to implement healthcare reform, including resources to train new nurses and healthcare workers to meet the growing demand for patient care. The governor signed an executive order at Swedish Medical Center creating a Health Care Cabinet to implement healthcare reform in Washington.
“Healthcare reform will benefit millions here in Washington, provide health care for those who couldn’t afford it before, help small business owners save money on employee coverage and improve the health of all our residents,” said Gregoire. “Washington is going to lead the nation in implementing healthcare reform, we’re going to help more people get coverage, make sure our health care industry is ready and save taxpayer dollars.”
With the implementation of the new law, demands for services from the healthcare industry will increase and the new Health Care Cabinet will move forward on work to attract and retain the nurses and healthcare workers needed to administer this care.
“The backbone of successful reform is having enough nurses and healthcare staff to meet the growing need that expanded access will bring under this new legislation,” said Diane Sosne, RN, President of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. “Investing more in training programs, supplying more scholarships for healthcare workers, and improving the diversity of the workforce will create jobs in our local economy and ensure we have the educated workforce to provide quality care.”
Our union is partnering with hospitals, clinics, and the state to provide innovative training programs with public and private funds. Current workers in our facilities are familiar with our healthcare system and the demands of the job. With just a few classes to build on their current knowledge, they are well on their way to becoming phlebotomists, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, technicians and nurses.
These programs benefit our patients, our hospitals, and healthcare workers. Workers statewide are addressing critical shortages and now have increased economic opportunity for their families. The expansion of healthcare also creates new jobs for the unemployed. This kind of education is a life changer, and good for our economy. We’re putting Washingtonians to work by keeping Washingtonians healthy.
In addition to the Health Care Cabinet, the state is accelerating conversations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for approval of a waiver to receive federal funds to support Washington state’s Basic Health Plan. This was a component of the new law fought for by the Washington congressional delegation, spearheaded by Senator Maria Cantwell.
“Enactment of this historic healthcare reform bill comes at a critical time for Washington state,” Senator Cantwell said. “The law provides bridge funding for the Basic Health plan, ensuring thousands of Washingtonians will be able to keep their healthcare and relieve our state’s overstretched budget.”
The newly created Health Care Cabinet will also identify all opportunities for Washington state to receive federal funds from the new law. It will write and implement the policies and rules necessary to carry out healthcare reform statewide for all affected state agencies, including consolidating duties, functions and powers related to the state’s overall health care purchasing.
The Governor's executive order also directs the Health Care Cabinet to integrate existing prevention/wellness strategies into all reform efforts. The law increases federal investment in public health programs for prevention, wellness and improving the monitoring and tracking of disease outbreaks.
“Healthcare reform means more than just insurance coverage,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “It's about helping people stay well in the first place -- through preventive care like immunizations and mammograms and public health work to make healthier choices easier, like giving kids more safe places to walk and bike. These are straightforward strategies that will improve everyone’s quality of life and reduce their overall healthcare expenses."