Policy Notes

Washington Policy Center held its 9th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, June 7, in SeaTac. The four-part event featured a Legislative Update breakfast, two panel discussions, and concluded with lunch keynote speaker Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. More than 300 attendees were provided key information regarding the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in Washington state.

To begin the conference, Allen Schauffler of KING 5 TV moderated the Legislative Update panel. Senators Karen Keiser and Randi Becker participated along with Jonathan Seib, Health Care Policy Advisor to Governor Gregoire. They gave an overview of the health care-related bills that passed during the Legislative Session and the subsequent impacts each will have on Washington residents.

WPC Health Care Policy Analyst Dr. Roger Stark moderated the next panel, which discussed the implementation of health care reform in other states and what Washington can learn from these states. The third panel discussion was moderated by Senator Linda Evans Parlette, in which three panelists discussed health care reform specifically in Washington state. Finally, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers talked about why she believes the national health care law is the wrong approach. She said a consumer-centered approach offers a better solution to the problem of providing people with affordable health care.

Read the full Policy Note here.