Federal Cuts to Food Assistance
Many people and businesses in our community rely on food assistance (EBT), which will be cut at the end of the month.
Many people in our community have just received notification of upcoming cuts to the Basic Food program. The Basic Food program is funded entirely through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus package) gave a temporary boost to assistance levels. That boost is set to expire on November 1st, sending benefit rates back to pre-recession levels.
With over forty percent of our community members depending on food assistance, the 3rd Legislative District relies on this program more than anywhere else in the state. The impact of these cuts will be felt community-wide: they will stunt the buying power of our most cash-strapped friends and neighbors, making it harder for families to keep food on the table while cutting away at the bottom line of our local retailers.
These reductions are not associated with the federal government shutdown, which could temporarily delay assistance if it goes on much longer. They also do not take into account the US House proposals to severely reduce food assistance. Their latest proposal would reduce these benefits by at least $39 billion over ten years, a loss of $870 million for Washington state.
Hungry kids can’t thrive in school, yet too many kids in our community are already not getting enough to eat. Now is not the time to cut food assistance.
No one should go to bed hungry, and hungry children cannot thrive in school. Please help make sure your friends and neighbors know where to find their neighborhood food bank for assistance. But it’s also important to remember that people shouldn’t have to rely on “emergency assistance” to meet their everyday basic needs. If you have thoughts or concerns about federal food assistance cuts, make your voice heard by reaching out to our federal congressional delegation: Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
Checking in on Health Reform
A nurse demonstrates robotic telemedicine technology at the Lincoln Hospital in Davenport.
Last week, I had an opportunity to visit a number of Eastern Washington hospitals on a rural health tour. Our region is one of the most underserved in the nation in terms of health care providers per person, but it was incredible to see the innovative approaches rural hospitals are using to reach people, like telemedicine. The Affordable Care Act will further increase access to care in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington.
October 1st marked the beginning of open enrollment and the launch of Washington Healthplanfinder – our state’s online health insurance marketplace. Washington is posting some of the highest enrollment numbers in the country, with roughly 9,500 people that have already signed up for coverage. There were some glitches at first, but now the kinks have been worked out and it is easy to find a plan that works for you and your family from the comfort of your own computer. Before you sit down to shop for insurance, make sure you have the correct website: www.wahealthplanfinder.org. Unfortunately, a number of copy-cat websites are cropping up.
Remember, people can get website assistance or even enroll for health coverage over the phone by calling Healthplanfinder’s call center at 1 (855) 923-4633. If you or someone you know needs a little more help, you can schedule an appointment with an In-Person Assistor by calling 1 (855) 487-7686. If you already have health coverage through your employer, you do not need to purchase it with Healthplanfinder.
3rd District Mobile Office
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 Senator Andy Billig, Timm Ormsby and I would like to invite you to join us at our next mobile office, which will be held at the South Perry Farmer’s Market.
The market is located at 924 South Perry (right outside The Shop). We will be there from 4:00-5:30 this Thursday, October 17. Please stop by.
This is a tough time for people in our community. My thoughts are with all the families affected by the federal shutdown or the impending cuts to services. As always, it’s an honor to serve you.
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Best Regards,
Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane
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