Medicaid

State Reports Drop In Unnecessary Emergency Room Use

Ruby de Luna — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:54:50 +0000

A preliminary report from the Washington State Hospital Association shows that emergency room visits by frequent users fell by 23 percent between June and October of last year.

What Would The Expansion Of Medicaid Mean For Washington State?

Ross Reynolds — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Medicaid expansion is one of the key decisions state lawmakers in Olympia face this session. Proponents say it would expand coverage to the uninsured, save the state money and boost the economy. Critics say it’s not clear how much the expansions will eventually cost state taxpayers. Ross Reynolds takes a closer look at Medicaid expansion with University of Washington public health-expert Aaron Katz.

Governor-Elect Inslee Committed To Health Care Changes

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:04:17 +0000

Democrat Jay Inslee made his first public appearance since he won the election. The Governor-Elect spoke Wednesday at a health care policy conference in SeaTac. He reiterated his commitment to change health care in Washington state through the Affordable Care Act.

Washington State To Cover Autism Therapy For Medicaid Kids

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:34:57 +0000

Low-income parents will soon have a way to get treatment for their children with autism. Starting in January, Washington state will cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for kids with Medicaid coverage. The new benefit is part of a legal settlement between the state and a local advocacy group for children with autism.

How Will The Next Washington Governor Shape Medicaid?

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:12:11 +0000

Whoever is elected as governor this fall could change the course of Washington state's Medicaid program. When the US Supreme Court ruled on the Affordable Care Act in June, it determined that the law went too far when it required states to expand Medicaid. The ruling left it up to states to decide whether or not to open up the program to cover people without insurance.