Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names six to Washington State Health Insurance Pool

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today appointed six individuals to the newly reactivated Washington State Health Insurance Pool.

As part of legislation passed this year to re-open access to commercial individual health insurance, the law reconstitutes the board of directors for the insurance pool.

The pool is designed to provide health care coverage to all residents of Washington who are denied health insurance either individually or as part of a group under any health plan. The board of directors will develop and approve a uniform screening mechanism for subscribers to enter the pool, as well as manage the pool by setting assessments on providers and collecting premiums from subscribers.

"Restoring access to insurance is what this is all about," Locke said. "The most pressing issue before the board is to approve the health questionnaire that insurers will use to identify those individuals who will receive their coverage from the pool. Once the screening process is completed, we have the promise of the insurance companies that they will once again return to the market and offer individual coverage to the people of Washington. I am anxious to hold them to their promises."

The board provides a diverse representation of healthcare users, purchasers, providers and insurers who will share in governing the pool. Locke's appointments include:

- Bernandene Dochnahl, of Renton, representing large employers;
- Patti L. Carter, of Oak Harbor, representing small employers;
- Mark C. Adams, MD, of Bremerton, representing health care providers;
- Robert A. Crittenden, MD, MPH, of Seattle, representing health care consumers;
- Sean P. Corry, of Seattle, representing health care consumers;
- Patricia M. Maddock, of Kent, representing health insurance agents.

The health care industry will name four representatives to the board, bringing the total to 10 members.

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