Washington’s governor has unveiled major initiatives to expand health insurance coverage, the latest move by a key Democratic leader to address Trump administration health policies he says are keeping people from getting the care they need.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a likely presidential candidate, proposed a publicly run health insurance option for state residents who are not covered by private employers and buying insurance off the marketplace created under former President Barack Obama’s health care law.
Inslee included $500,000 in his latest budget proposal to begin the work of setting up the statewide program known as Cascade Care. It aims to help lower-income people who don’t qualify for federal assistance get coverage by 2021. The program would be administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority, the same agency in charge of the state Medicaid system and the insurance program for state employees.
A measure expected in the legislative session that starts next week would direct the state agency to seek contract proposals from insurers. Inslee says reimbursement rates would be consistent with federal Medicare plans.
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler says President Donald Trump’s administration has put up “real roadblocks” to health care access and that if the state’s public option is approved, it wouldn’t need federal approval.
The Economic Opportunity Institute says more than 43,000 people dropped their health insurance last year in Washington. (AP)
