VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — The debate over Washington’s role in implementing the federal health care reform law is playing out in Olympia this session with dueling bills.
The Columbian newspaper reports that one House measure would prohibit the state from spending state money to implement President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law.
Meanwhile, a Senate bill would authorize the state to continue work on creating health care exchanges with $1 million in federal money, as required by the 2010 law.
Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna are on opposite sides of the issue. McKenna is considered a leading candidate for governor next year.
