News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 17, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Dave Wasser, Washington State Health Care Authority, 360-923-2711

Gov. Gary Locke Calls For Redesign of Basic Health Benefit, Allowing the Addition of 11,000 Low-Income People to Program

OLYMPIA – Feb. 17, 2003 – Gov. Gary Locke today directed the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) to develop a less costly Basic Health benefit that would be medically sound, emphasize preventive and primary care and be affordable for low-income families. The redesign would enable an additional 11,000 people to have coverage under the program.

“Children are one of Washington’s most vulnerable populations,” Locke said. “There are far too many families and children in this state that either do not have adequate coverage or no coverage at all. Redesigning this program will enable the state to cover as many of them as possible.”

The proposed redesign of the Basic Health benefit could reduce the overall cost of the current program by more than 12 percent. These savings would then enable the state to cover more than 11,000 additional people with children. Basic Health is currently budgeted for an enrollment of 81,000 people in the 2003-05 biennium. If approved, the new benefit would go into effect January 2004.

“Basic Health has received national attention over the years for its innovation,” said Ida Zodrow, HCA administrator. “This same kind of innovation will allow us to shift gears and assure that we are providing coverage to Washington’s most vulnerable population – its children.”

The present Basic Health program benefits include doctor and hospital care, including preventive care, emergency services and prescription drugs.

Currently the Basic Health program is for Washington state residents who are not eligible for free or purchased Medicare, not institutionalized at the time of enrollment and within Basic Health’s income guidelines.

Monthly premiums for Basic Health are based on age, income, family size and health plan chosen. The program also features low co-payments.


Related Links:
- Governor's Office
- Washington State Health Care Authority


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