Thank you for the recent article about the Washington Health Trust (WHT), House Bill 1445 (and companion Senate Bill 5233) in the current legislative session (“Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia,” The Herald, Feb. 8).
As stated, the Washington Health Trust is funded by payroll taxes, and would pay the health care expenses of all Washington residents. Businesses would contribute between 4 percent to 5 percent and 10.5 percent of their wages toward the trust (a considerable savings over current payroll expenditures on health care), individuals contribute 2 percent, and investors between 5 percent and 9 percent through capital gains taxes. Note that businesses can pass 2 percent of their share to employees.
I firstly want to thank Reps. Mary Fosse, D-Everett and Julio Cortes, D-Everett, representatives from the 38th district, and all the other co-sponsors of the legislation.
Of note, economic analysis of the WHT estimates that, instead of costing Washington, it would save the state up to $9 billion.
In response to the assertion by Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, that the WHT is “unproven” I would say that it is “trailblazing”. Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to introduce a universal health care system, paving the way for Canada to institute a national health care system.
Recently, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace endorsed the WHT bills. The WHT is a smart move for WA businesses. Per U.S. Census data (Business Dynamics Statistics), 60 percent of U.S. businesses have fewer than fove employees, and 98 percent of businesses have less than 100 employees. The WHT is an economically viable way for these businesses to provide health care for their employees.
Jane Grafton
Seattle
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