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Governor Gregoire Discusses Health Care Accomplishments of the 2007 Legislative Session
For Immediate Release: April 24, 2007
SPOKANE - Governor Chris Gregoire today discussed the health care accomplishments of the 2007 legislative session with health care providers, staff and parents at St. Anne�s Children and Family Center in Spokane.
�We cannot just keep throwing more money into a broken health care system � we actually need to fix that system. That is why we passed comprehensive children�s health reform and are working toward a more efficient health care system that pays for what works, better manages chronic care and focuses on prevention.�
Governor Gregoire visited a preschool class that had been learning what a governor does. She then met with health care providers, staff and parents of children at St. Anne�s to discuss new programs that will improve health care delivery and access.
St. Anne�s Children and Family Center has served Spokane area families since 1943. They offer individually focused, curriculum-based educational programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. St. Anne�s is in the process of acquiring early childhood accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
With Governor Gregoire�s leadership, the Legislature this session passed measures that will:
- Provide health insurance access to 38,500 additional children;
- Increase childhood immunizations;
- Expand mental health coverage;
- Make prescription drugs more affordable;
- Take steps toward higher quality, more affordable care;
- Cover prescription co-pays for seniors on Medicare;
- Manage chronic illness better;
- Keep foster kids healthy;
- Give pediatricians a fair reimbursement;
- Prevent and treat disease;
- Protect the public health;
- Provide better health care information for families;
- Help people navigate the health care system;
- Expand technology compatibility among providers; and
- Connect state health care facilities with electronic medical records.
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