2SSB 5597 Declared Passed by the State Senate

On to the House, Hearing Scheduled 3/15/07, 10:00am, House Health and Long Term Care Committee

Late yesterday afternoon 2SSB 5597 was declared passed at a 39-10 majority vote. There were 4 amendments offered by Marilyn Rasmussen (D-2) that we were successful in defeating, which would have negated the bill completely. Rasmussen is a strong Democratic friend of the insurers.

The absolute shame in our success was when Cheryl Pflug (R-5, Issaquah area) stated in comments in final passage that the Association representative lied to her and misrepresented the bill. She went on to say that she even called the President, who is her neighbor, and "even he didn't know about the bill". She was visibly disturbed at the final vote. I will not defend the claims made by Pflug in this email but I will post a letter that Dr. Schweitzer will be writing to the President of the Senate in response to her floor comments. I do not lie, and I have an uphill battle with legislation because the opposition believes that you should be in business, but you are not worthy of insurance money. That is unacceptable to me.

Our strong supporters worked hard to defeat the proposed amendments and fought with dignity. They include our sponsor Senator Rosa Franklin (D-29) and Senator Karen Keiser (D-33) Chair of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee. Additionally, moving through the Ways and Means committee was a challenge and was supported by Senator Margarita Prentice (D-11), Senator Craig Pridemore (D-49), and Joe Zarelli (R-18). In addition to all of these Senators, the Democratic leadership was very helpful, Senator Lisa Brown (D-3), Majority Leader, and Senator Tracey Eide (D-30). Our friends worked very hard to oppose the bias against chiropractic.

I would also like to thank Dr. David Butters and Dr. Garry Baldwin for staying with Jennifer and I throughout the day to address Senator concerns and work on the amendment issues raised prior to floor action. Their support on a rough day is greatly appreciated. If you haven't yet spent a day in Olympia to see how chiropractic is received by legislators, please plan to come down to Olympia for 1 day and work with us. You will truly be amazed.

I highly recommend that you take the time to listen to the audio of our vote by going to go to www.tvw.org
click on Audio and Video (upper left corner of homepage)
click on "recent events"
click on March 8th, 9:45:00am Senate Floor Debate (it may show only as "senate floor debate")
Once audio starts, you can drag the green bar across until you hit the time for our bills.
Our legislation is from hours 3:35:00 to 4:04:00 (this is not time of day!)
Senator Pflugs final remarks start from 3:57:10 and continue for about 1 min.

http://www.tvw.org/MediaPlayer/Archived/WME.cfm?EVNum=2007030094A&TYPE=A

We are on our way to the House now, where it is a much friendlier place, but will still be a lot of hard work Thank you for your ongoing support.

Lori L. Bielinski, LMP
Executive Director and Lobbyist
Washington State Chiropractic Association
21400 International Boulevard, Suite 3207
SeaTac, WA 98198
dalailobby@chirohealth.org
206-878-6055(p)
206-878-8699(f)
253-988-0500(c)