OLYMPIA – In recognition of his commitment to expanding access to healthcare for Washington’s children, Sen. Andy Billig, D- Spokane, has been chosen to receive the Children Alliance’s Champion for Children Award.

“I am proud of our work to pass legislation that positively impacts families in Spokane and throughout the State,” said Billig. “Every family should have the security of being able to take their child to the doctor without financial stress.”

During the 2018 legislative session, Billig worked with colleagues to pass a number of bills to help children and families in Washington State including legislation that will help provide health care to Washington resident Pacific Islanders who were displaced as a result of the U.S. testing nuclear weapons on their islands.

The bill, passed on a broad bipartisan basis, covers out-of-pocket costs and pays the monthly premiums of income-eligible adult citizens of three nations—the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau—when they purchase qualified health plans on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.