Seaquist’s family doctor bill wins Legislature’s approval

March 10, 2008 

OLYMPIA – Efforts would be made to increase the state’s number of primary-care physicians under legislation headed to the governor’s desk.   The House on Saturday approved a modified version passed by the Senate.

Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, who wrote the legislation, cited this as an important step towards addressing the health care crisis.

“It’s not a coincidence that care has declined and costs have gone up as fewer people use primary care physicians,” Seaquist said.  “These family doctors know you and evaluate your long-term health, instead of focusing on your symptom that day.”

“My goal is a family doctor for every family, at a price every family can afford.”

Seaquist’s bill passed the Senate and House unanimously, and would raise the number of primary care providers in the state, both doctors and nurses.

The proposal, House Bill 2549, has the state’s Health Care Authority create a program to support, with funding and technical assistance, doctors practicing what’s called ‘medical homes.’  Medical homes are what most people know as your family doctor, someone who can provide high-quality, coordinated, patient-centered care.

“I believe people are healthier and happier with the health care system when they have a family doctor,” Seaquist said.  “Taking action now will help increase the number of doctors choosing primary care practices, hopefully making a big difference in many lives, one new family doc at a time.”