1 in 5 Washington State Residents WITHOUT Health Insurance

Posted in Health Insurance

June 9th, 2009

In a very sad sign of the times, Seattlepi.com recently reported that the increase in unemployed individuals coupled with the cost increases for the state’s Basic Health program could raise the number of people without health insurance coverage by 21% compared to last year. According toInsurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, that would bring the total number of the state’s uninsured to876,000.

It’s anticipated that150,000 people will lose their health insurance benefits. This significant number is based not only on the number of people who are currently unemployed or expect to lose their jobs, but also includes the dependents of the main policy holder. Increases in both premiums (+$25) and deductible limits (increased from$150 to $250) are being instituted by the state as a way to prevent having to forcibly cut anyone from the states Basic Health program.

Because of his view on the frightening trend in Washington,Kreidler is pro health care reform. His vision of a new improved health care system includes not only affordable coverage for all, but that individual plans would not be directly linked to their position courtesy of their employer.