The federal Affordable Care Act was signed into law nearly two years ago. Since then, we at the Children’s Alliance, alongside health advocates across the state, have been working to make health care reform a reality in Washington.

In the next few weeks, health care leaders in the state House and Senate will take a crucial next step: They’ll set up ground rules for the state’s new Health Insurance Exchange.

In this edition, a longtime dental hygienist says Washington state needs a new type of licensed dental provider to extend care when and where it’s needed. In other state news, the Marriage Equality Bill passes the Senate, advocates show that the Quality Early Learning Act of 2012 means quality education can reach as many of Washington’s three- and-four-year-olds as possible. In national media, a new report says 48 percent of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch eat breakfast at school.

History was made tonight when the Marriage Equality Bill passed out of the state Senate on a bipartisan vote of 28-21. The bill awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.

Children’s Alliance is proud to stand with families across the state who would benefit from this legislation.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender parents in every corner of our state are raising kids and striving to give them all they need to grow and flourish. No public policy should stand in their way.

In this edition, a dentist says a new type of dental health provider on his team will extend needed care to families in his clinic and throughout Washington. In Olympia, parents and advocates tell legislators why high-quality child care and rating standards are critical to kids' safety and success. In national news, the benefits of quality early learning are seen up to 30 years later, and researchers explain how hunger and obesity are intertwined.

Last week’s national poll results on food stamps should make Washington legislators take notice.

The poll found overwhelming support from voters for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, known universally as food stamps.

Along with tens of thousands of Washington children benefitting from SNAP, more than 12,000 children in our state depend on a form of food stamps called State Food Assistance – one of the vital programs lawmakers may cut.

The poll, conducted in the second week of January, is a strong indication that cutting SFA would be enormously unpopular: