Senator Maria Cantwell's weekly update:

Preserving Wenatchee Valley Medical Center

Last week, I announced that a proposal to ban-physician owned hospitals has been modified to protect and maintain Wenatchee Valley Medical Center. The proposal, included in an emergency supplemental bill that was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, will now exempt the North Central hospital from a requirement that would force it to drastically reduce its percentage of physician owners. I’m very encouraged that Wenatchee Valley Medical Center’s unique situation has been recognized by my colleagues. Forcing profound changes in this already-fragile hospital system would be disastrous for the thousands of patients in North Central Washington who rely on its services. The spending bill includes responsible changes that ensure Wenatchee Valley Medical Center can continue caring for those in need.

Submitted by bj bissell:

I have been mildly concerned about rising food prices and the extra markup for the privilege of shopping in Anacortes. We all know we pay a "20 Spur" "tax" for food to be brought here from the Burlington-Mount Vernon corridor.

Now, higher pricing is becoming a serious issue to my fixed income, limited budget.

So, I sent a short shopping list with a friend as she shopped at Costco.  7 items.
Results: 50% to 75% savings on the exact same food items here.

Sobering discovery.  I expected around 15% perhaps.

So, now I will be figuring out a way to by bypass most or all  major local food purchases  (with the help of my friends as I am disabled.)

I wondered if anyone else has had this same experience or if they don't care how high local prices go.  This seems to me to be a dilemma only for people who cannot afford the difference or who have not thought it through.

When last I addressed this dilemma a few years back I was told directly by both large food stores here that they did not  compete with the I-5 market at all.  I held in there with them. But now things are vastly out of kilter.  50%  seems like  usury to me.  75% is off the chart. 

Senator Maria Cantwell's weekly update:

Pushing for Increased Radar Coverage

Last Tuesday, at a Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I, as Chair, pressed NOAA on funding for Doppler radar on Washington state’s coast. In response to my questioning, NOAA’s Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), announced that by the end of this month, NOAA will complete an assessment of the Agency’s performance during the December 2007 winter storms that hit Washington and Oregon. An overall plan for addressing recommendations made by that assessment – as well as for addressing community concerns – is due by the end of June. NOAA also announced plans to integrate the Washington Federal Aviation Administration Doppler radars into the National Weather Service’s weather data system by the end of 2008, which could greatly improve radar coverage for Washington’s coast.

From Senator Patty Murray:

VA Puget Sound has announced that on May 27, Northwest Washington’s interim veterans’ outpatient clinic will move from its current site at a mobile clinic in Mount Vernon to a new, temporary location on the campus of United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, enabling the VA to serve more veterans at a larger facility. U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) continue to advocate for the VA to open a permanent community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Northwest Washington as soon as possible.

“The VA’s announcement that they are moving the interim clinic to a larger facility with expanded hours means that more veterans will get the care they need close to home,” said Larsen. “This is one more step toward a permanent community-based outpatient clinic for Northwest Washington veterans. Senator Murray and I will keep pushing until the doors of the permanent facility are open for business.”

From Senator Patty Murray: 

After 6 years of working Wild Sky Wilderness through the legislative process, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen today celebrated the final step in the process – Presidential signing.  President Bush signed Wild Sky Wilderness into law this morning, creating the first new wilderness area in the state of Washington in over twenty years.

"I could not be more proud of the spirit of togetherness and dedication that has surrounded Wild Sky from the very beginning.  Today is a tribute to so many people who never gave up and never lost sight of the goal – preserving the heart and soul of this beautiful land," Senator Murray said.  "This new wilderness is a gift to young families, lifelong outdoor enthusiasts and everyone in between.  We are blessed to live so close to such majestic beauty and thanks to this new designation it will be protected for generations to come.  Wild Sky could not have made it to the finish line without the steadfast support of Rick Larsen who has been my partner in this journey.  It's been a long hard climb, but crossing the finish line truly is sweet."