Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It’s the first week of session and we’re already hard at work. I’ve chaired three meetings of the Health Care Committee, where we heard testimony on important bills to keep health care affordable and accessible, including my bill to preserve preventive services like immunizations and screenings (HB 1957). In the Appropriations Committee, I listened to presentations and public input on the governor’s proposed supplemental budget, a good way to learn about the need of our important state services such as our Washington State Patrol, state parks, and wildfire response.
Telephone Town Hall Next Week
We’re hosting a 3rd District Telephone Town Hall next week and I hope you’ll listen in. The town hall will be conducted via telephone this Tuesday, January 16 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Sen. Andy Billig, Rep. Timm Ormsby, and I will be taking your questions and sharing updates about our priority legislation.
If you don’t automatically get the call, you can call in by dialing 877-229-8493 and use the code 116276.
While listening to the call you can press *3 to ask a question, or you can leave a voicemail with your question or comment.
We hope you’ll be able to join us next Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Free School Meals: Feeding Kids Can’t Wait!
Last year I introduced legislation to make school meals free for every student. While universal meals did not pass, we amended the bill to significantly expand the program by adding 90,000 students to our existing free school meals program. Since then we’ve seen nine more states pass universal free school meals. It’s time Washington join those states. That’s why I introduced a new bill to make sure all schools offer free school meals to all students (HB 2058).
This shouldn’t be a partisan issue, or a budget issue. It’s about the kids. Growing children need healthy, nutritious meals in order to thrive.
Over the years, I have sponsored bills to expand meals to over 600,000 of our one million public school students. Making progress is great, but we’re falling behind. And while we’re falling behind, so are Washington’s students.
We hear a lot about learning loss and failing test scores. One way we can address that is to ensure our kids don’t go to class hungry and have the necessary food in their bellies to help them achieve success.
So, let’s pass my latest bill to make school meals free this year.
Open Enrollment Ends Monday – Sign Up Today!
If you have been waiting to find the right health or dental insurance plan on wahealthplanfinder.org, you only have until Monday, January 15 to sign up. It only takes a few minutes to apply for coverage that works best for you, and you can get help in over 200 languages. Free and low-cost coverage is available for those who qualify, and includes services such as primary care and emergency visits, maternity and pediatric care, dental, vision, prescription medications, and more. Sign up today!
Access is expanding to everyone in Washington state, including immigrants who are undocumented. Thanks to legislative action and in collaboration with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Washington state has received a waiver from the federal government to expand our access to anyone, regardless of immigration status. All information collected is private and protected under the law.
You can sign up online at wahealthplanfinder.org, or get assistance through the Healthplanfinder’s Virtual Help Desk to find a broker, navigator, or enrollment center.
It is my honor to serve you!
Sincerely,
Rep. Marcus Riccelli