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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

New Health Insurance Help for Small Businesses

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Monday, August 20, 2007   

About 600,000 employees of small businesses in Washington will soon have access to health insurance after the appointment of a “Health Insurance Partnership Board." The group's job is to select insurance companies to be part of a new state program aimed at signing up more employers for health coverage.

Dave Wasser of the Washington State Healthcare Coalition says the board will serve as a liaison between the employers and insurance companies.

“The State will help these small businesses get enrolled in these programs, and there will also be state subsidies for the low-income employees who are part of any group that joins through the ‘HIP’ program.”

Cindy Watts, a University of Washington professor, is one of the board members. She says the program is a new way to reach out to the majority of uninsured people in the state.

"About 80 percent of the people who are uninsured are either themselves employed, or in families with an employed member. So, this isn’t just people who aren’t working."

Small businesses should be able to apply for health insurance assistance by this time next year.

The Health Insurance Partnership Board was formed last week as part of the Washington State Health Care Authority. It includes a diverse collection of professionals; from healthcare experts to business owners. More information is online at www.hca.wa.gov. Click on “Health Insurance Partnership” for meeting dates and to track the new board’s progress.




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