Tuesday, March 20, 2007
In this Washington CAN! e-newsletter, you will find:
- House budget proposal fails to invest in Basic Health (Take Action)
1. Gregoire Announces New Rx Discount Card
Uninsured can save up to 60 percent or more on prescriptions
Yesterday, Governor Gregoire joined Washington CAN! and AARP in the state-wide roll out of the Washington Prescription Drug Program. Media outlets across the state covered the roll-out press conferences in Olympia, Yakima & Spokane. Check out The Olympian's coverage here.
The new program uses the state's bulk buying power to negotiate steep discounts on prescription drugs. Participants can save roughly 20 percent on brand name and 60 percent on generic prescriptions.
There are no eligibility requirements or fees for membership. It's completely free!
The discount card is open to any Washington state resident who does not have prescription drug coverage or whose drug plan does not cover all of their prescriptions.
Sign up today! Visit www.rx.wa.gov or call 1-800-913-4146. You can also download an enrollment form here.
“This program is the product of several years of effort – many groups came together to make it a reality. Organized labor, the business community, insurers, health care providers, consumers, and health care advocates all played a role in creating these discounts for the people who need them most. Thousands of our members wrote and called their legislators. It’s incredibly gratifying to see that the grassroots is what made the difference and made these deep discounts a reality.”
-Sue Stauffer, Washington CAN! member, Seattle
2. House budget proposal fails to invest in Basic Health
Message: "Restore 20,000 Basic Health Slots"
1-800-562-6000
http://action.washingtoncan.org
In 2001, voters approved Initiative 773 to expand Basic Health through a tobacco tax by a 2-1 margin - but the tax was diverted from its original purpose. Instead of growing to 175,000 slots as voters expected, the program was cut back. We're asking lawmakers this year to restore 20,000 slots to the Basic Health Plan to return enrollment close to 2001 levels.
It's not too late. Legislators are debating this budget proposal as we speak. You can influence the outcome if you call now.
Thank you for your activism.
With
over 30,000 members across the state, Washington CAN! is the
state’s largest grassroots community organization. Washington CAN! fights
for progressive social change at the local, state, and national levels, with a
focus on issues that most directly affect the lives of Washington residents.
Our mission is to achieve economic fairness in order to establish a democratic
society characterized by racial and social justice, with respect for diversity,
and a decent quality of life for those who reside in Washington State. www.WashingtonCAN.org
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