Bookmark & ShareFor Immediate Release: 01/25/2011
The supplemental budget bill that passed the Washington State House of Representatives on Monday doesn’t become law unless it is approved by the State Senate and signed by Governor Gregoire.
We understand that Basic Health members are concerned about what will happen to the Basic Health Program, but we won't know that until we have a signed FY2011 Supplemental Budget. The House version of the budget bill (ESHB 1086) could pass the Senate as written, but the Senate is just as likely to make changes in the bill, and the Governor has the option of vetoing portions of the bill presented to her by the Legislature. ESHB 1086, as passed by the House on January 24, 2011, would require Basic Health to:
- Notify current Basic Health members of the date their coverage would expire. (Members must continue to pay their premiums until they receive official notice that the program will close.)
- Disenroll members who do not meet all of the following requirements for a federal subsidy:
- Age 19-64 years old
- Income up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- US Citizen
- Washington resident
- Not currently enrolled in Medicaid
- Uninsured
- Ineligible for Medicare or VA benefits
- Disenroll remaining members effective April 30, 2011, and shut down the subsidized Basic Health Program if additional funding sources are not located.
If ESHB, as written, becomes law, Basic Health would make every effort to move eligible members to Healthy Options, DSHS maternity coverage, or Washington Health, the unsubsidized version of Basic Health.
If you are interested in reading ESHB 1086 and following its progress in the Senate, go to Bill Information.
If you have any questions, please contact Basic Health.
