FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Jan. 28, 2009

OLYMPIA — A well-regarded policy research firm has released a report  (click here to download - 1.5mb PDF) detailing the costs and benefits of five state health care reform proposals.

Mathematica Policy Research was hired by the Legislature in 2008 to study several approaches to health care reform. They include:

· A proposal that modifies insurance regulations to address specific groups that have lower rates of coverage such as small employers and young adults;

· A proposal that includes the components of the Massachusetts legislation to establish a health insurance connector;

· A proposal to provide a comprehensive, standardized benefit

· package for all residents;

· A proposal to establish a single-payer system similar to the health care system in Canada; and

· The Insurance Commissioner's proposal for a guaranteed benefit plan

One proposal that shows enormous promise is Sen. Karen Keiser’s Washington Health Partnership. The plan would provide consumers and employers a choice of plans and providers and includes all Washington residents not covered by federal medical programs.

According to the Mathematica report, consumers, employers and the state will see the following benefits from Sen. Keiser’s plan:

• A 32 percent reduction in out-of-pocket spending for health care for consumers ($1.3 billion a year)
• A reduction in employer-related health care spending of $2-to-$4 billion per year
• A reduction in state health care spending by $330 million a year.

“My proposal creates a real win-win for the people and employers of the state of Washington,” Keiser said. “I will introduce the bill to implement this well-studied proposal, contingent on federal participation and hope to see a full discussion of how health care reform can be achieved in our state.”

“The current health care situation includes the worst of all worlds- increasing costs, increasing loss of health care coverage and falling health outcome. The status quo is not acceptable.”

For interviews: Sen. Karen Keiser at (360) 786-7664 or (360) 399-0801.