Greater Spokane Incorporated

To CHAS, Health Care Reform Means New Jobs

By Peg Hopkins, Executive Director
Community Health Association of Spokane

Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) currently serves over 30,000 patients each year, providing a health care home for the Spokane-area population. For more than four decades, Federally Qualified Health Centers have been providing quality care accessible to the entire population, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.  CHAS is one of several other federally qualified health care clinics and systems in the region who are about to experience significant growth in the coming years due to an increase in demand. With our rate of growth and health care reform, CHAS anticipates to double in size over the next five years in order to provide care to an increased number of patients.  This will lead to more jobs for the Spokane community and bigger picture, an overall healthier community.

What you may not have considered is that health care reform could have an impact on employment options for the entire population. It goes beyond the hiring of more medical professionals; it affects everyone from your local barista to your children’s teacher.  Individuals, who previously needed to select employment based on the benefits they receive, can now choose to work in the profession of their choosing without needing to consider the corresponding level of health care coverage.  The newly changed employment landscape has the potential to create a healthier community on many levels – socially, emotionally, physically and more.

These conversations are happening more frequently in our region.  I recently participated in a Health Care Reform 101 panel with other health care and community leaders.  This non-partisan discussion brought several individuals to the table for an exchange on the implications of health care reform in eastern Washington.  With eastern Washington’s vitality connected so closely to the health care sector, there is a unique opportunity for our health care providers and businesses to come together on this issue.  Ultimately, these partnerships will pay off in creating an overall healthier community and creating significant positive economic impact.

About CHAS
The mission of CHAS is to improve the overall health of the communities we serve by expanding access to quality health and wellness services. Check out our web site (www.chas.org) to learn more about the services and facilities offered by CHAS.

What Happened in D.C.?

By Sandra Jarrard, Public Policy Coordinator, GSI
May 14, 2010

The Eastern Washington/ Northern Idaho delegation traveled to Washington D.C. to present the Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho regional priorities. The regional priorities were developed in collaboration with Greater Spokane Incorporated, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, the Coeur d’ Alene Chamber of Commerce,  and the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.  This year’s regional priorities included transportation, Health Education/ Health Care, Environment and Water Quality, Fairchild Air Force Base, and Small Business Capital Access.

Jobs and the economy are the main focus of congress.  Congressional representatives are working to introduce small business liability reform legislation, and legislation that will create jobs.  Our delegation met with members of congress, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Our delegation relayed the messages that have been given to us by our members… the need for access to capital to start or grow an existing business.  We expressed the necessity for members of congress to endorse federal regulatory reform that will provide stability to the SBA Loan Program and legislation that will create access to capital.

The Department of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration is working to support two million jobs and double the amount of exports in the next two years.  This will be done by increasing governmental focus on the barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting free and fair access to foreign markets.

At Greater Spokane Incorporated, we work with our federal lobbyist, members of congress, and governmental agencies to discuss the issues that are affecting our regional businesses.  Contact me at 509-321-3622 or via email at sjarrard@greaterspokane.org  for more information.