Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 25, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls for affordable health insurance for all

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement about his participation in talks to resolve the crisis facing the individual health insurance market.

"The state of Washington is facing a significant crisis surrounding the ability of individuals to purchase health insurance. In 17 counties, mostly in eastern Washington, individuals can no longer buy health insurance. If action is not taken during this legislative session, there is a real possibility that health insurance companies will refuse to enroll new customers in all of the state's 39 counties.

"Costs to consumers have increased 71 percent since 1994. Over the same period, the companies offering individual plans have been losing money," Locke continued. "Also, the benefit packages that are available do not adequately meet consumers' health needs.

"To resolve this crisis, there must be compromise on all sides. The three health plans that still offer individual insurance in the state, along with the hospital association and the medical association, asked me to participate in discussions about the future of the individual insurance market. Consumer groups, as well as business leaders, are participating as we move forward."

Locke continued, "My goal in these talks is to make sure that affordable health insurance is available to all citizens of the state of Washington, regardless of where they reside.

"The consumers who are currently being hurt the most in this situation are those who have maintained their individual insurance over the years and have seen their rates rise by 71 percent. Unless we fix this problem now, more and more citizens of our state will not be able to purchase health insurance."

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