I applaud and support Gov. Christine Gregoire’s decision to place a high priority on funding for Washington’s health-care safety net. This is good news for all of Washington, and particularly for the 82,000 uninsured residents of Snohomish County. The governor’s budget calls for covering more children under the Medicaid program and maintaining the Basic Health Plan, programs that have proven to keep people healthy.
By improving access to primary and preventive care, providing effective management of chronic illnesses and reducing barriers to health care, we not only improve the health of our community, we also benefit from long-term cost savings.
We know that uninsured adults are four times more likely to seek care in an emergency room for non-urgent conditions. We also know that emergency room care is six times more costly than care provided in a doctor’s office. This affects all of us. Higher hospital charges are passed on to patients with insurance coverage to help cover the costs of those who do not have insurance. This, in turn, drives up insurance premiums, making them unaffordable for individuals and small businesses, which leads to more people being uninsured, and the cycle starts over again.
By proposing that state dollars be prioritized for programs that help people who do not have health care coverage, such as making sure all children are covered under Medicaid and offering the affordable Basic Health Plan to adults, the governor is making an investment in the long-term health of our communities.
Kenneth M. Green
Executive Director
Community Health Center of
Snohomish County
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