Information Sheet

Health Care Budget

Despite large, continuing increases in health care costs, Gov. Gary Locke’s proposed budget continues to fund all existing health care programs for children. However, rapidly rising costs mean the number of adults served by the Basic Health Plan is reduced and some optional adult-care programs are eliminated.

Meanwhile, funding for community health clinics is increased. The proposed budget:

• Provides $3.7 billion in state funds for health care for more than 908,000 vulnerable children and adults, and a stronger public health system.

• Provides Basic Health Plan insurance coverage for nearly 81,000 low-income people and increased funding for community health clinics.

• Save $328 million by ending Basic Health Plan coverage for 59,800 childless adults and optional medical care programs for adult Medicaid patients.

To meet the basic life needs of the most vulnerable children and adults, the proposed budget:

• Provides $3.8 billion in state funding for Child and Adult Protective Services, emergency food and housing, mental health care, institutions, nursing homes, foster care, temporary assistance to needy families, employment training for disabled adults and child support services.

• Saves $215 million by ending human-services activities deemed less necessary to meet the most immediate health and safety needs.

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