By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch A lawmaker from Eatonville will again be the top member of the state Senate's Healthcare Committee when the 2015 session of the Legislature convenes. Sen. Randi Becker was chosen by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus to continue as chairwoman for the next two years of the committee that deals with issues related to medical facilities, healthcare professions and long-term care. Becker, who has headed the committee the past two years, said the state's implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act will continue to take center stage in the committee's work. "I am putting high priorityGÇ¥ on the act being user-friendly for citizens when they enroll for healthcare coverage, she said. "Folks should not still be wondering if they really have the insurance coverage they signed up for or how much it will cost them in the end,GÇ¥ Becker said. "I want to see accountability and measurements in place. I feel like the healthcare discussion often degenerates into numbers, figures and coding issues. I'm glad I can provide a counterpoint and bring real people back to the table.GÇ¥ The Affordable Care Act became law in 2010 with a goal of making health coverage available nationally to millions of Americans. As of April this year, 163,207 people in Washington and more than 8 million nationwide had enrolled in marketplace plans, according to reports. In addition to the healthcare panel, Becker will also serve on the Senate' Higher Education and Ways and Means Committees. The upcoming legislative session in Olympia will begin Jan. 12 and is scheduled to last 105 days. Becker, a Republican, represents the Second District, which includes the south Pierce County area and part of Thurston County. She was re-elected in 2012 to her second four-year term.
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