Senator Maria Cantwell visited the Country Doctor Community Clinic site yesterday, taking the opportunity to tour the clinic, talk with staff and to announce that the Federal Basic Health Plan option will become a reality in 2015.

This has been a battle the Senator has fought for a long time, initially asking that it be inserted into health care reform legislation.  Although it wasn’t included in the original Affordable Care Act the Obama administration this week agreed it should play an important part in health reform.

This option will be up to each state to adopt or not, and will provide a more reasonably priced insurance option for people who earn too much for Medicaid but not enough to buy insurance through the Health Exchange.  Senator Cantwell has long been a champion in D.C. of community health centers and increasing access to health care for all.