Washington governor pushes public option legislation

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on Tuesday said Democratic lawmakers will be introducing legislation to offer residents of the state a public health insurance option, which would be a step toward single-payer health care.

Inslee, a potential 2020 presidential candidate, said the bill will direct the state’s Health Care Authority to contract with health plans across the state to offer coverage on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which guarantees coverage to anyone in the individual insurance market across the state.

Reimbursement rates would be consistent with Medicare rates, Inslee said.

“Under the Obama administration and the Affordable Care Act, Washington was able to make tremendous progress in expanding coverage and start bringing down costs in our health care system. Under the Trump administration, all that progress is at risk,” Inslee said in a statement.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/424408-washington-gov-pushes-public-option-legislation

Interesting. First I've heard of this. The Democrats control both legislative branches so this probably is as good a time as any to give it a try.

[applegrove]

1. I think that is how it started in canada. First in a province and then across

the country. I think.

[gblady]

2. Go, Jay!

Hoping our state can lead the charge!

[subterranean]

3. Hopefully this will be more doable than a full single-payer system.

As a Washington resident, I hope they can make this work. The only exchange plans that are still affordable to me have a high deductible and an extremely limited network of providers.