Gov. Gregoire meets with SEIU president

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Gov. Chris Gregoire today met with the president of the Service Employees International Union, Mary Kay Henry, who has been an advocate for the extension of Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funding.

�I�m honored to have the opportunity to meet with Mary Kay,� Gregoire said. �She has spent her entire career advocating for improving and expanding healthcare options, and now she has joined the fight to extend FMAP funding to ensure health care coverage for low-income citizens, and support and protect jobs nationwide. I�m pleased she recognizes the dire financial position states face right now, and am proud to call her a partner in our effort to secure this funding.�

Gregoire has been working closely with fellow governors and the state�s Congressional delegation to urge passage of federal legislation that includes the extension of FMAP. She has also had discussions with representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Susan G. Komen foundation about their shared interest for a comprehensive jobs package that includes FMAP funding. Many other organizations, including Families USA, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging have also identified FMAP as a priority.

The extension would mean nearly $500 million in federal funds to help support critical programs, prevent additional cuts and maintain jobs.

�Many states have already budgeted and spent the FMAP funding we are asking Congress for today. Our budget anticipated that we would receive this support,� said Gregoire. �These funds are critically important to fund health care and other services our citizens deserve. And this program has proven to support and create jobs - the key to our recovery from the national recession.�

Last month, SEIU elected Henry as the union�s first female president. The union represents more than more million healthcare workers nationwide, and has been instrumental in the development and passage of a national health care reform package. SEIU is the largest union in Washington state, with more than 100,000 members.