Gregoire praises Senate vote to move forward on federal Medicaid dollars for Washington state

For Immediate Release: August 4, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate�s vote to approve a bill to extend Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) aid to states, including Washington:

�I applaud the Senate for today�s vote extending FMAP support to the states. Moving forward on FMAP extension means Washington, and many other states, will not be forced to make drastic cuts that would have harmed both our citizens and our economic recovery. The Senate heard that now is not the time to lay off thousands or to eliminate medical services for those who need it the most. Such actions would have been devastating to Washington state by slowing our recovery and potentially pushing us toward a double dip recession. It is important to note that in light of the economy states have already cut their budgets, in Washington state we�ve cut $5.1 billion from the state budget.

�While a final vote in the Senate is required, as well as a House vote, I anticipate that they will both act swiftly.

�Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell were champions of this effort and I thank them for their tireless efforts to protect our people and our economy.

�I especially want to thank my colleagues in governor�s offices from across the country who led a bi-partisan effort to assure that this necessary support came to fruition.�

# # #