Sen. Patty Murray (center) holding a panel on Obamacare with ICHS staff. (Photo from ICHS)
Sen. Patty Murray hosted a roundtable discussion at International Community Health Service (ICHS) on Aug. 22 to discuss the upcoming implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Starting in October, enrollment in new state-based health insurance marketplaces will begin. In Washington state, approximately 800,000 uninsured Washingtonians, or 15 percent of the state’s population, will be eligible for coverage in the marketplace.
International Community Health Services (ICHS) is a Seattle-based nonprofit community health center offering affordable primary medical and dental care, acupuncture, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health and health education services. ICHS operates two full-service primary care clinics, a school-based health center, and a weekly medical clinic at local mental health agency. Each year, ICHS provides direct patient care, health support services, and preventive education to over 21,400 individuals in over 50 different languages.
ACA increases funding for community health centers in all 50 states, including the 243 existing community health centers in Washington. (end)