Washington State Bill Could Remove Thousands From Basic Health Program
The Washington state House on Monday voted 89-9 to approve a bill (HB 2341) that would eliminate beneficiaries from the state's Basic Health Plan if they receive separate health benefits from the state Department of Social and Health Services, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The bill also would allow Basic Health officials to remove more people from the program based on their income, their ability to get other health insurance and how long they have been enrolled in the Basic Health program. The bill would affect thousands of state residents, according to the AP/Post-Intelligencer. The state budget, which must address a $9 billion shortfall, likely will include about $250 million in savings from the Basic Health Plan (AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 4/21).
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