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Washington State NOW supports expanding and stabilizing funding for the Basic Health Plan (BHP) to increase enrollment at least up to the promised 200,000 and to return co-pays to a level that low-income people can afford. NOW opposes reductions in benefits in the BHP and any efforts to change the insurance rules regarding pre-existing conditions and insurance portability.
The Basic Health Plan provides access to health care insurance to thousands of Washington residents that would not be able to access health care by any other means. Currently, the BHP enrolls approximately 128,000 subsidized people.
1. Increase BHP subsidized slots available without eliminating benefits or decreasing subsidy levels. In 1995, the legislature set the goal of increasing the BHP to 200,000 subsidized individuals. The number of uninsured people in Washington is over 600,000 and the waiting list for the BHP is astronomical. Every week 3,000 - 4,000 people put their names on the BHP waiting list. In 1997 the legislature increased enrollment by 8,000 while at the same time decreasing subsidy levels. The legislature and Governor should honor the promise of 200,000 subsidized enrollees in the BHP.
2. Make up the budget shortfall of $13.7 million in order to add the 8,000 people to the BHP that legislature agreed to. In 1997 the legislature directed the Health Care Authority to add 8,000 subsidized people to the BHP. These 8,000 slots are threatened due to a budget shortfall. The legislature should fill the $13.7 shortfall and allow the 8,000 person increase to go forward.
Make up the $10 million budget shortfall in Medicaid for children'’s health coverage without decreasing eligibility or eliminating benefits. Washington State entitles children in families below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive Medicaid coverage. The Federal Government pays 50% of the cost and the state pays 50%. Increased enrollment has created a budget shortfall. The legislature and the Governor should fill the $10 million shortfall in Medicaid health care coverage for children.
The Governor and the legislature should take advantage of the new Federal funds in combination with approximately $2.5 million of new state funds to fund the Children’s Health Initiative Through the Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Washington State is eligible to receive $47 million per year for five years to fund health care coverage to children in families with incomes of up to 250% of federal poverty level. The Federal Government is offering an incredible match rate of 2:1 instead of the usual 1:1 and the legislature and the Governor should utilize the maximum Federal dollars available to the state.
Washington State NOW supports dealing with the issue of increasing rates in the individual insurance market by reinstating stronger community rating standards. This allows insurance companies to spread increased costs across a broader number of people.
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