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Urge legislators to lead Washington to secure
future
Meet Washington’s most pressing needs
today
A responsible budget must meet the most pressing
needs of Washington’s vulnerable children and
adults, who face the challenge of rising living costs
coupled with eroded funding for people-serving
programs.
A responsible budget must secure the future by
making wise investments that control costs now while
preventing higher costs and a future social crisis.
The past four years have been marked by budget cuts
and eroded support for the programs and services that
help Washington’s most vulnerable children and adults.
The funding may have gone away but the need hasn’t.
This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
along with our coalition partners is working to ensure
seniors, children, refugees, and immigrants are not
forgotten in the supplemental budgeting process.
Our priorities include:
Rebasing Medicaid reimbursement
rates.
Current rates reflect 1999 costs and are not enough
to cover the increasing demands of the long-term care
industry. Under the current system, the Caroline
Kline-Galland Home loses over $1,000,000 annually.
Securing additional funding for the LEP
(Limited English Proficiency) Pathways.
The LEP programs allow refugees and immigrants to
receive important employment and social services.
Additional funding is needed to maintain current
contract levels. Jewish Family Service depends on LEP in
order to serve a growing number of refugee and immigrant
clients.
Repealing Washington's Bed
Tax.
The tax has been passed on to private pay nursing
home residents who have struggled in recent years to
save and preserve their assets so as to not become
dependent on the state.
Preventing cuts to Washington’s General Assistance
grant program.
Washington’s General Assistance program helps
stabilize Washington’s neediest citizens. A modest cash
grant helps people afford housing, receive mental health
treatment, and become self sufficient.
Securing health coverage for immigrant
children.
Last year the legislature passed HB 1441, which
provided comprehensive health coverage for immigrant
children below the federal poverty level. Because of
their immigrant status, these children are not eligible
for Medicaid. Due to under-funding thousands who are
eligible to receive coverage are on a wait
list.
Ask legislators to support funding for
human services for seniors, refugees, immigrants, and
Washington’s neediest people!
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