BACK HOME: Listening to Washington State Families, Veterans and Commuters
Last week, I spent several days on the road, traveling from Seattle to Gig Harbor 
to Mt. Vernon and beyond to discuss the issues that our state and country are currently facing. It’s always good to be home, but this trip was particularly important to me. At a time when we face so many critical issues—a broken health care system, unreliable funding for our transportation needs, and the need to get our workers back on the job just to name a few — it is more important than ever for me to connect with families from throughout our state. Below is more information on the specific issues I’ve been working to address in Congress and the stops I was able to make in our state last week.
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HEALTH CARE: Building a 21st-Century Health Care Workforce
Last week, I continued to work toward health care reform by meeting with health care professionals across the state to discuss what our 21st-century health 
system should look like. As I talk to doctors, nurses, and patients alike, they all agree on one thing – we can and must do more to ensure that quality, affordable care is available to everyone. That’s why one of the most important things we can do is to build a health care workforce that’s large enough to meet our growing health care needs. It’s also why I’m working to include workforce-building provisions in the health care reform legislation that is being considered in Congress. I believe that we can improve our health care system while also putting Washingtonians to work.
– The Kitsap Sun
“Senator Murray discusses health care reform in Gig Harbor”
– The Peninsula Gateway
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VETERANS: Celebrating a Major Step Forward for Northwest Washington
Last week, I was in Mt. Vernon to help celebrate the opening of a brand-new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) for Northwest Washington veterans. I’ve fought for years to open a Northwest Washington CBOC so that area veterans no longer had to travel all the way to the Puget Sound just to be seen. I was very proud to see our vision finally become a reality.
“Doctors, nurses excited to be working in new VA facility“
– The Skagit Valley Herald
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FERRIES: Working for Fair and Consistent Funding
Last week, I met with Washington state transportation officials and commuters to discuss major new ferry legislation that I have introduced. Washington state has the largest ferry network in the country, and it is critical that we continue to provide the kind of consistent, safe ferry service that Washington residents have come to expect. Our ferries currently have no long-term funding source, so by changing the way ferries are funded at the federal level, we have a great opportunity to truly strengthen ferry systems nationwide.
“Murray, Larsen propose boosting federal funding for ferries” – Seattle PI
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RECOVERY: Tracking our State’s Funding
So far, Washington state has received more than 6 billion in funding from the Economic Recovery Act. Last week I announced additional funding for programs in our state. Click on the links below to learn more about funding awarded to the state this week.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency – Jumpstarting the Green Economy – Supporting our Local Health Centers
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