The dramatically higher estimate o federal money significantly changes things, but our message stays fundamentally the same. WSHA is asking the legislature to use these new funds to meet the critical financial needs of hospitals and health care. Contact your Senator and both of your Representatives immediately. The legislature should use these funds to meet the critical financial needs of hospitals and health care. With this new money, there are no longer any excuses for health care cuts in the state budget.
Hospitals are unique in the budget debate.
We have brought money to the table. We are only asking that the state honor our efforts by funding our needs and then use the remaining money for other pressing health care needs and as a reserve in the Health Services Account. We want to be sure that if the bill passes, Governor Locke does not veto it. The Governor needs to hear that if he vetoes the bill, he is responsible for increasing taxes on hospitals. Please contact the Governor and copy Paul Isaki, his chief of staff.