| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 9:02 pm |
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Northwest 
|
|||||||||||||
Official wants 'catastrophic' health insurance coverage for all in Washington OLYMPIA -- Hoping to speed up the pace of health care reform, the state insurance commissioner has stepped from the bureaucratic supporting cast with a big idea: take over the market for "catastrophic" insurance, guaranteeing Washingtonians have coverage in a health crisis.Mike Kreidler, running this fall for a third term as the state's top insurance regulator, knows the plan could be a hard sell -- even to his fellow Democrats in the Legislature and the governor's office. But Kreidler said his plan gives Washington a chance to take a leading national role in rethinking how Americans pay for medical care. Kreidler has been laying out his argument for the statewide catastrophic insurance program in recent weeks through speeches and interviews around the state. The former optometrist, veteran legislator and one-term congressman said he's faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum and expects more. He acknowledges the proposal has little hope of passing the Legislature in the short, election-year session that begins Monday. One factor could help its ultimate chances: Kreidler wants voters to approve the new employment tax he sees paying for the program. Some details are still not certain -- Kreidler dodged questions about the cost of his program -- but it would provide all Washington residents with catastrophic health care coverage that kicks in once medical costs exceed $10,000 in a given year. The plan also would cover some preventative care. It would cover people up to age 65, when they become eligible for Medicare. People who move to Washington would have to live in the state six months to establish residency, and new residents' pre-existing conditions would not be eligible for coverage for a year. Some people with existing government coverage would be exempt, such as those in the military. Workers and employers would pay for the program with a new state employment tax, probably 1 percent of gross pay for employees and a sliding scale of 2 percent to 5 percent for businesses, depending on their size. By substituting the new plan for the type of coverage that typically takes up 40 cents of every health insurance premium dollar, Kreidler said Washingtonians could then buy cheaper health insurance that focuses on their other needs. The tax program also would ensure that people without insurance would pay their fair share for coverage, instead of pushing those costs on the system, Kreidler said. If approved, however, the proposal would likely need a waiver from Congress to skirt federal law regulating employee benefit plans. Without such permission, Washington would face a court challenge, Kreidler said. Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, said huge plans for overhauling the system are too hasty. He also said plans such as Kreidler's blow past Gov. Chris Gregoire's health policy approach, which Brunell described as "a very methodical, deliberate process to go through and figure out what will work and what won't." |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- State Senate votes to toss I-960's tax-raising hurdle (9)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (8)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- A new bowling alley for Monroe? (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|