(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), incoming Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded an announcement from Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell that Washington state will receive a $64,997,973 grant to direct, develop and test innovative health care payment and service models, with the goal of improving health care quality and lowering costs. Washington state has been a national leader in enrolling working families for coverage in Apple Health, and has also received national attention for its public health initiatives. The funding will support collaboration between various Washington state organizations working to lower costs, provide better care, and build healthier communities statewide.
“Washington state is a national leader in health care and I am thrilled that today’s announcement will enable our state to build on that tradition of leadership,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will allow our state to further develop innovative programs at the local level, which will help improve health care access, affordability, and quality for families in Washington state and across the country.”
The grant was made possible through the second round of the Medicare and Medicaid Services State Innovation Models initiative. In July, Senator Murray led a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services along with members of the Washington state Congressional delegation, which urged consideration of Washington state’s application to the program.
For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid Services State Innovation Models initiative, click here.
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