FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, September 30, 2004
Contact: Mike Spahn
(202) 224-2834
Senator Murray Announces $175,000 for Vital Health Care in Gray's
Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties
Murray saves CHOICE Regional Network from Administrations cuts
 (WASHINGTON,
D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced today that the CHOICE
Regional Network, a non-profit consortium dedicated to improving the
health of 93,000 poor and working-poor Washington state residents, has
received $175,000 in fourth-year grant funding under the Health
Community Access Program (CAP). The money will help CHOICE in its
efforts to continue and expand outreach and coordination efforts for the
uninsured. Senator Murray has been an unyielding advocate for CAP
generally and CHOICE specifically since the Bush Administration signaled
its intent to cut the crucial program's funding to levels that would
force its eventual shut down.
"I'm proud, excited, and relieved that we've been able to get this
money for CHOICE," Murray said. "This program helps working families in
Washington state get the health care they need, but cannot afford.
Without this funding, thousands of Washington families would not know
they qualify for care under this program, and would be left behind. This
successful, bipartisan program works for people in my state, and I'm
going to keep fighting to make sure that those most in need get the care
they deserve.
In July of this year, Senator Murray (D-Wash) vigorously questioned
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson in a hearing on
Capitol Hill. During a hearing before the Senate Labor-HHS
Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray challenged the
Administration's decision to take $20 million from the program.
"It's time for the Administration to step up to the plate and become
a real partner in the effort to treat the growing number of uninsured
Americans," Murray told Secretary Thompson at the July hearing.
In 2003, Murray was successful in attaching funding that helped save
CAP from the Administration's chopping block to the FY2003 Omnibus
Appropriations bill, one of only a handful of Democratic amendments
agreed to on the legislation.
The CHOICE network was selected as one of the three demonstration
sites in Washington state to design a community-based model for
financing and delivering health care to residents of Gray's Harbor,
Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties living below 250% of the
poverty line. They are working to design a community-based, 100% Access
Demonstration Project in the 5-county region that will increase access
to affordable health care in the region, and sustain providers' ability
to care for limited-income consumers.
"Senator Murray's heroic measures to ensure the ongoing funding of
the CAP program have saved lives," said Kristen West, Executive
Director, Choice Regional Health Network. "We have examples of real
people who have lost their lives due to broken or failing health
systems. Senator Murray's ability to successfully work both sides of the
aisle has been truly amazing. Washington State is fortunate to have a
Senator with proven experience and clout to make this happen," West
said.
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