Re: “Ferguson’s WA budget plan redirects climate money, taps rainy day fund” (Dec. 23, Native Information):
Neighborhood well being facilities have been hit by federal insurance policies this 12 months from the opposite Washington with critical penalties for our sufferers and clinics. It’s much more devastating to get hit with proposed cuts from our personal governor that can make the state of affairs worse.
The governor is proposing to chop one in every of our most necessary funding streams by altering how the Medicaid pharmacy profit is managed. The present mannequin lets well being facilities buy prescription drugs at a reduction and use the financial savings to fund extra inexpensive medicines for our sufferers in addition to many different providers.
HealthPoint, in addition to the vast majority of Neighborhood Well being Facilities within the state, depend on the present system to fill monetary gaps in operations to permit medical, dental and behavioral well being providers to be safe and proceed and develop to satisfy affected person demand. Altering this mannequin will considerably cut back the circulation of federal funds to our state and drive well being facilities to cut back providers.
I do know the Legislature has a tricky job forward to steadiness the funds subsequent session, however I urge lawmakers to guard necessary security internet packages that assist our communities, equivalent to the present pharmacy program.
Keith Sinay, vp of pharmacy and shared providers, HealthPoint, Renton
