Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation (H.B. 1738) on June 7 that consolidates the administration of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under Washington’s Health Care Authority (HCA). The HCA already administers health coverage for State employees and retirees as well as programs for low-income persons such as Washington’s Basic Health Plan, Community Health Services Grants, the Prescription Drug Program, and the Health Technology Assessment Program. The HCA will also lead State initiatives such as promoting preventive care and evidence-based medicine, using health information technology to improve coordination of care, and expanding care management for persons with chronic, high cost medical conditions. Washington seeks to reduce expenditures through consolidated health purchasing, to create a strong foundation for its administration of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and to promote effective coordination between its public programs and its health insurance exchange under the ACA. The HCA will also provide reports to the Governor on key issues such as creating a single point of entry for eligibility determinations, measuring treatment outcomes and consumer satisfaction with quality of care, promoting the delivery of long term care services in the least restrictive settings appropriate to the needs of consumers, and collaborating with local governments to achieve health care objectives.
