Safety Net: Murray Announces Extension of Critical Federal Safety Net Programs for Washington State Families

Press Release

With Washington state budget outlook threatening services, Murray helps pass bill that extends unemployment insurance and COBRA tax credits, blocks cuts to physician payments under Medicare, and prevents low-income families from losing food stamps, Medicaid, and heating assistance

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) voted to pass the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act which includes legislation that:
· Prevents up to 230,000 Washington state residents from losing additional Unemployment Compensation,
· Extends eligibility for a major tax credit for unemployed Washingtonians receiving health benefits under COBRA,
· Reverses planned cuts to state doctors who accept patients covered under Medicare, and
· Prevents low-income Washington families Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps, Medicaid, and home heating assistance

The bill passed the Senate today by a vote of 88-10 and the House of Representatives on Wednesday. As a member of leadership, Senator Murray worked to include the safety net extensions in the Defense Appropriations bill. The President is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.

Senator Murray issued the following statement after she voted to pass the bill:

"This bill provides timely and badly needed help to struggling families across Washington state. With our state budget outlook uncertain and unemployed Washingtonians still fighting to find work, many families have a difficult road ahead. We need to be there to ensure that they can access health care, pay bills, keep the heat on, and meet the needs of their children. It is in the spirit, not only of the season, but of good government that we are extending programs that protect the unemployed and uninsured and that prevent low-income families from losing support to help meet their most basic needs."

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