Health Care

Trapped in Your Job For Fear of Losing Your Health Care?

Washington's health care system is failing the public. A growing number of people are uninsured or under-insured. Fragmentation and huge administrative inefficiencies have led to staggering costs and uneven quality of care. It ties people to their jobs, stifling economic innovation. And the system emphasizes treating the ill rather than preventing illness.

The five guiding principles of a new health care system should be:

Universal coverage – everyone should be included
Public accountability and oversight
A single risk pool to end fragmentation and market inefficiency.
Maintain current sources of funding: citizens, businesses, and government
Cost controls must be achieved

We are currently developing a unique and value-added approach for universal coverage based on the principles above -- and at the same time, working to create a fairer, more sustainable tax system in Washington State with sufficient revenue to fund this basic and vital human service.

Featured Publications

Is cost-sharing just another way for workers to pay more for less?

11.01.2008 | Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved | Effects of increased cost-sharing in Washington State's Basic Health Plan (BHP) were assessed among adult BHP beneficiaries. The predominant effect of increased cost-sharing was to increase costs for low-income workers, particularly those with chronic disease. Full Report »

Washington's Health Plan: Fulfilling Its Mission or Creating Barriers for Working Families?

10.01.2005 | Based on the costs of medical needs and the coverage information provided by the Basic Health Plan, we present estimated annual costs paid by families at different income levels. This analysis reveals that BHP coverage can require too high a percentage of a working family’s household budget. Full Report »

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Policy Success

EOI spearheaded policy research and design for I- 773, and built a coalition of health care activists and organizations, to promote the initiative. State voters passed the measure with a 2 to 1 majority.