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Editorial Roundup: Health insurance bull still not tamed

Fri., May 20, 2016

The following abridged versions of Northwest editorials do not necessarily reflect the view of The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board.

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, May 18

The health insurance market continues to have more moves than an angry bull at a rodeo. And the result can be just as devastating for those who can’t afford quality insurance. This week it was announced by the state Insurance Commissioner’s Office that health insurance companies selling individual policies in Washington are seeking to increase their rates by an average of 13.5 percent in 2017.

“I see it (the request for double-digit rate increases) as kind of the reflection of the shakedown cruise of this competitive marketplace,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.

But, Kreidler said, those who can’t afford the higher rates should benefit from an increase in government subsidies. That is a positive. Obamacare has resulted in 90 percent of Americans having insurance.

Still, those who are not receiving a subsidy are facing an increase in premiums that will squeeze families already feeling financially challenged by life’s expenses. It’s likely the 13.5 percent increase being sought will be rejected by Kreidler’s office. Historically the state set final rates below the company requests. Nevertheless, it’s still going to sting.

The Columbian, Vancouver, May 19

The much-maligned Affordable Care Act is imperfect. But the basic premise, the idea of making health insurance available for all at a reasonable price, remains valid and valuable.

With that goal in mind, Washington should embrace an opportunity to revive its defunct Basic Health Plan and fill in some of the holes in coverage provided by Obamacare and an expansion of Medicaid. While the percentage of Washington residents without health insurance has dropped from about 17 percent in 2013 to less than 7.5 percent today, many of the state’s working poor still are unable to qualify for Medicaid or afford Obamacare coverage. According to the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., an estimated 162,000 state residents – those making between $16,242 and $23,540 a year – are unable to secure insurance.

That is where the Basic Health Plan comes in. The idea was forged by the state Legislature and signed into law in 1987, helping to provide coverage with affordable premiums and co-pays. As many as 150,000 residents were taking part in the plan before it was slowly shuttered and finally ended in 2013 as the Affordable Care Act was implemented.

To provide options for those who fall through the cracks of Obamacare, Cantwell has been leading the charge in Congress to make the plan available at the state level. Her amendment to the Affordable Care Act allows states to use 95 percent of the federal funding they receive to negotiate directly with insurance providers and offer coverage for low-income citizens.

Thus far, New York and Minnesota have adopted versions of the Basic Health Plan. New York reportedly has signed up about 400,000 people. Minnesota has registered about 120,000 people.

Washington has made great strides, but the data demonstrate that too many residents are falling through the cracks. A revival of the Basic Health Plan could help shore up that system.