Contact Information

  • Governor's Office, 360-902-4111

Governor Gregoire Announces Call for Proposals to Improve Health Care in Washington

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2006

Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access will accept proposals to provide every Washingtonian with affordable health care by 2012

OLYMPIA � Governor Gregoire and Senator Thibaudeau announced that the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access has called for proposals from interested individuals and organizations to improve affordability and increase access to health care for Washingtonians.

�We have a responsibility to insure that all Washingtonians have access to quality health care that fits within their budget,� said Governor Gregoire. �The current system is not working for many of our citizens and we want to learn what Washington citizens think should be done to address this problem.�

The Legislature formed the Blue Ribbon Commission in May 2006 to find ways to provide accessible, affordable, quality health care for all Washingtonians. The commission will recommend to Governor Gregoire and the Legislature by December 1, 2006, a sustainable five-year plan to improve access to affordable health care for all Washington residents.

In a meeting in July, the Commission identified what the Washington health care system should look like in five years. The Commission is soliciting proposals from the public on how to reach these goals.

Commission members will review proposals beginning at the next meeting on September 11. They may request additional research, expert presentations and public testimony for any proposal. Remaining meetings will be used to gather additional information and to discuss and evaluate the proposals for possible inclusion in the final report to Governor Gregoire and the Legislature in December.

Proposals should address questions outlined in the attached letter.

Further information regarding the Blue Ribbon Commission or the proposal process may be found on the Commission website or by contacting Christina Hulet at 360-902-0660 or Jonathan Seib at 360-786-7427.

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Attached is a letter from the Blue Ribbon Commission requesting public proposals.