Governor Chris Gregoire Tuesday signed into law a bill aimed at giving the state more flexibility in administering its Medicaid program.

The bill's prime-sponsor was 12th District State Senator Linda Evans Parlette. At the bill signing, Governor Gregoire thanked Parlette for her work on the bill.

The bill requires the state Department of Social and Health Services to seek a "Medicaid Modernization" demonstration request from the federal government. If granted, the waiver would give the state more flexibility around things like Medicaid benefit and program design, reimbursement methods, enforceable cost-sharing, enrollee choice and streamlined eligibility.

The law created by Parlette's legislation will go into effect July 22nd.

Special thanks to Jerry and Toni Tretwold @ Harmony House in Brewster for their dedication and hard work in making this bill a reality