Latino kids could benefit from Apple Health law

Apple Health for Kids wins House approval
Children’s health program would stay on track in difficult budget year
PRESS RELEASE

OLYMPIA – As the state moves to provide health insurance to all children by 2010, the House improved the program that will now be called Apple Health for Kids. Legislators approved the bill by a vote of 68 to 28.

“This is a year of taking care of the basics,” said Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, “and every child deserves the basic right to see a doctor when they’re sick.”

The state previously set the goal to make sure all children have health insurance coverage by 2010. This year’s proposal, House Bill 2128, will keep the state on track.

“We are keeping our promise to the children in our state,” said House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle. “Our Apple Health for Kids leads the nation in children’s health care. This means all children in Washington can be healthy and ready to learn in order to succeed in school.”

In addition to making the name “Apple Health for Kids” official, it will streamline procedures to enroll children at lower cost.

Seaquist also emphasizes performance measures. “We need to be sure that this program is working,” Seaquist said. “I wrote into this bill a requirement that we start making sure that our kids’ health is improving and that we controlling cost to the taxpayer.”

“To rebuild our economy we have to solve our healthcare crisis. Now is the time to give working families the peace of mind that they won’t go bankrupt keeping their kids healthy and strong.”

Apple Health for Kids is now under consideration in the Senate.