Hello neighbors,
In my last newsletter, I highlighted the work we’ve done to increase health care access, coverage, affordability, and quality, especially for those enrolled in Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. With Congress proposing $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, I’m deeply concerned with how this would affect the nearly 2 million Washingtonians who rely on it for health coverage, including hundreds of thousands of our neighbors here in Snohomish County.
The Legislature has made remarkable progress in recent years to improve and expand the services Medicaid provides for some of our state’s most vulnerable people, including:
- Helping moms by expanding access to pre- and post-natal care and extending postpartum care from just two months to the first full year after birth, because we know that healthy moms are key to healthy babies.
- Protecting vulnerable seniors from nursing home closures by increasing the Medicaid reimbursements that our providers depend on to keep their doors open.
- Supporting our neighbors experiencing homelessness through a targeted Apple Health and Homes program to help them access medical care and find stable housing.
- Empowering people to overcome addiction be expanding Medicaid access to treatment and recovery support. For those who end up in jail, we have provided Medicaid access to essential medical care, including substance use treatment, to facilitate rehabilitation and successful reentry back into the community.
All this work and more would be upended if we see these devastating federal cuts signed into law. Washingtonians would be without health coverage, and rural hospitals that rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements would experience sudden financial hardship. The effects are real and concerning, and they’d be felt in every corner of our state.
I’m closely monitoring the budget decisions coming from Washington, D.C., and I’m ready to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass legislation to preserve Washingtonians’ access to quality, affordable health care.
Mark your calendars: 21st Legislative District town halls
I’m joining my seatmates, Reps. Lillian Ortiz-Self and Strom Peterson, for two town halls next week. These are a great opportunity for constituents to meet their legislators, ask questions, and hear about the work we’re doing in Olympia. I hope you’ll join us!
Telephone town hall: Thursday, March 13
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
You should receive a call on Thursday. If you do not receive one, you can still participate by dialing (855)-756-7520 and using extension 121204#.
In-person town hall: Saturday, March 15
When: 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Little Theater at Mariner High School in Everett
Stay in touch
Your feedback and input are such an important part of the democratic process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov, and we will be more than happy to get in touch with you! You can also stay up to date by following my official legislative social media accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Talk soon!
