Dear Neighbors,
As you’ve probably heard, the budget negotiations in Olympia are continuing. Our leadership and budget team are encouraged by the progress that’s been made toward a supplemental budget that makes the necessary reductions and reforms while still protecting our Washington values. I hope to have a more detailed update early next week.
In the meantime, it’s been great being back home in the beautiful 46th district. I have been meeting with constituents and enjoying some much needed time with my family.
The Affordable Care Act is benefiting many Washington residents:
After its first two years, the Affordable Care Act has reaped benefits for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a press release that “by far the most popular benefit of health reform that we hear about is the ability for parents to keep their adult kids on their health plans – especially in today’s economy.” Indeed, so far more than 52,000 young adults up to age 26 have stayed on their parents’ health plans.
Many consumers are seeing other very significant benefits, as well:
- Prescription drugs for seniors
62,660 seniors received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs and 60,209 seniors received a 50 percent discount on their covered brand–name prescription drugs, which resulted in an average savings of $598 per person, which all added up to a whopping $35,999,334 in savings in our state! - Preventive services
653,723 people received free preventive services or a free annual wellness visit with their doctor. And 1,239,000 Washingtonians with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing. - No more lifetime limits on health benefits
2,427,000 Washington residents can breathe easier since they no longer face lifetime caps on their health benefits. - New options for folks with pre-existing conditions
As of the end of 2011, 708 previously uninsured Washingtonians who were locked out of the coverage system because of a pre-existing condition are now insured. To learn more about the plan go here.
State unemployment rate is the lowest in three years:
A bit more good news about Washington’s economy – we added about 4,200 new jobs last month, according to the state’s Employment Security Department.
Industries with the most job growth in February were leisure & hospitality, which added 2,500 jobs; construction, up 1,900 jobs; retail trade, up 1,700; transportation, warehousing & utilities, up 1,500; and professional & business services, which added 1,100 jobs.
Some sectors lost jobs, too: government, down 1,400; manufacturing, down 900; other services, down 800; financial activities, down 700; and information, down 500.
Even with those losses, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent in February, down from a revised rate of 8.4 percent in January. That’s the lowest unemployment rate since January 2009, when it was 7.7 percent.
Since the low point in the recession, the state has regained about 90,900 jobs.
An estimated 288,000 people (seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in February, and about 197,000 claimed unemployment benefits. As of March 17, 76,103 workers in Washington had run out of all unemployment benefits.
Here is more informationon the latest numbers and or for help finding a job.
DISTRICT UPDATE:
Recently I announced I was not running for re-election in November. I would like you all to know, that I until my term expires in January, I am still your State Representative, and will continue to work on the Budget in Olympia, schedule district meetings, and when session is over will be having a Town hall meeting, which I hope you will attend.
I can be reached in my Seattle district office at 206-368-4491 or you may call my Olympia office at 360-786-7818.
Thank you again for reading my e-memo, I hope you will continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts.
Best Wishes,
Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney State Representative 46th Legislative District