Universal insurance access plan touted Mike Kreidler's on the campaign trail -- for himself and his plan to assure everyone has coverage.
By SHEILA HAGAR of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA -- At the Walla Walla Regional Airport last week, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler waited for a return flight to Seattle, after spending the day in town to peddle products.
One was himself. Kreidler, a Democrat, is up for reelection this year, running against Republican challenger John Adams.
The commissioner's primary purpose, however, was to advocate for something he's been pushing for much of his political career -- an ideology he's boiled down into his "Guaranteed Health Benefit Plan."
Better known as universal health care and much needed, Kreidler said, fresh from a presentation at a local Rotary Club lunch.
Not only does Washington have about 700,000 uninsured residents, one in four who do have insurance lack adequate coverage.
Such folks "are one illness away from bankruptcy," he noted.
Under Kreidlers' proposal, every resident would be assured health crisis coverage, up to the point they become eligible for Medicare.
And according to Kreidler, coverage would come courtesy of a payroll tax -- 1 percent of employees' earnings and 3-5 percent of company payrolls, with smaller businesses paying less than large companies.
While that may a sticking point for some, it's money already being spent, he said. "The total will not expand the total health-care cost ... $6.8 billion is what the state pays now."
Paid through everyone's taxes, he added.
As it's penciled out, people who have lived in the state for at least six months become eligible to tap into a pool of catastrophic coverage for health crises that add up to at least $10,000 in a calendar year. For new residents with pre-existing conditions, the wait doubles.
As well, the plan would cover some preventive care, including vaccinations, cancer screenings, annual medical and dental check-ups.
The plan won't include those insured through federal jobs, Kreidler noted. For those needing help paying for routine care, access to the state's Basic Health Plan would be available on a sliding scale for individuals earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or just over $63,000 annually for a family of four.
As now, most people would have everyday coverage, such as for getting stitches and strep throat swabs, through their employer. Under Kreidler's plan, however, the premiums that have been steadily rising for most consumers should drop. Up to 40 cents of every premium dollar is dedicated to catastrophic care, Kreidler said.
With that onus knocked off, insurers will be able to lower premiums, he believes.
Those companies would facilitate payment for the crisis care after the $10,000 line is crossed, making for a seamless transition in care. As planned, there's no cap on catastrophic coverage and the benefit moves with job changes, Kreidler said.
After some consideration, his office reached that figure based on the fact most medical-related bankruptcies occur when medical bills exceed $10,000.
While that's still a very hefty sum for most individuals, communities can conceivably raise that much, Kreidler said. Unlike a "quarter-million" for something like an organ transplant. "That's a lot of car washes and bake sales."
As well, with assured crisis coverage, hospitals will be less likely to differentiate between patients based on ability to pay, Kreidler said. "There will be less incentive for hospitals to try and find a new medical home for you," should you show up at the emergency room with no health insurance.
One Walla Walla doctor told Kreidler and his staff he has been paying thousands of dollars every year for uncompensated care for uninsured or underinsured patients, Kreidler added.
And some people will still choose not to buy health insurance at all. Nonetheless, they will be covered under the guaranteed health benefit plan.
Kreidler has been busy explaining his concept whenever he has the chance. Since last winter, he's spoken to a diverse list of groups around the state. From artists and business owners to trial lawyers and heath-care advocates, he's spread the message Washington needs to take care of its own.
It's going to take time to implement -- still up in the air are questions such as how Kreidler's plan works for the self-employed, what happens for people who work in Washington but live in another state and how the payroll taxes will be collected.
The concept is not a government-run health system. Consumers would continue to choose their own insurance and doctors. The idea is to keep the personal responsibility component in the mix, he said.
Too, numbers are still being run by an independent consulting firm to compare estimated costs with the private sector. When the financial piece is in place, it will be time to look at plan sustainability and holding health care costs down, the commissioner said. "This is the beginning, not the end."
He hopes to present his plan and findings to the Legislature late this year or early spring. After that, voters will decide it they want guaranteed health coverage, Kreidler said.
Comments:
This is your opportunity to speak out about the story you just read. We encourage all readers to participate in this forum.
Please follow our guidelines and do not post:
Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo, such as accusing somebody of a crime, defaming someone's character, or making statements that can harm somebody's reputation.
Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
Personal attacks, insults, threats, harassment, or posting comments that incite violence.
Comments using another person's real name to disguise your identity.
Commercial product promotions.
Comments unrelated to the story.
Links to other Web sites.
While we do not edit comments, we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.
If you feel someone has violated our posting guidelines please contact us immediately so we can remove the post. We appreciate your help in regulating our online community.
Your comment will be posted after it has been verified.
