Senate approves health care bills
Thu., March 10, 2005
OLYMPIA – The Senate has approved Gov. Christine Gregoire’s proposal for a task force on long-term care.
The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday for legislation to create a seven-member joint legislative and executive study group to come up with public and private financing ideas for long-term care, particularly in rural areas.
Sponsors said the state’s over-65 population is expected to balloon by 84 percent in the next 15 years.
Many seniors get help from family and friends, but long-term care can be extremely expensive. Individuals have to be poor enough to be eligible for Medicaid, must have long-term insurance or be able to pay out of pocket.
The measure now goes to the House.
Associated Press
Local journalism is essential.
Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds.
Subscribe now to get breaking news alerts in your email inbox
Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens.
