EDITORIAL: Inslee’s plan for public insurance worth pondering

Jan. 11--Our health care system -- nationwide -- is a mess. And while most people agree, there is no consensus on how to improve the situation so all have access to great medical care that is affordable.

So when Gov. Jay Inslee and Democratic lawmakers announced on Tuesday they were backing proposed legislation for a new "public option" health-care plan under Washington's health-insurance exchange, it was met with as many cheers as jeers. That's the case inside the Legislature as well as the general public.

Democrats, who control the Legislature, concede getting this proposal passed is unlikely -- and the effort will be a slog.

Nevertheless, although we aren't sold on universal health care at the state level (as it is a national concern), this proposal by Inslee and the Democrats is worthy of vigorous debate.

Inslee, who said he sees the proposal as the first step toward universal health care, is looking to stabilize the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which has been hit with double-digit premium increases year after year.

The Seattle Times reports the proposal would have the state Health Care Authority contract with at least one health-insurance carrier to offer qualified health coverage on the exchange. Currently, 14 of Washington's 39 counties only have one insurance option offered on the exchange, according to Jason McGill, senior policy adviser for Inslee. This includes Garfield and Asotin counties.

It's tough on residents of those counties to not have insurance options. Competition in the insurance marketplace, like all marketplaces, generally works to reduce prices and results in better customer service. While it's not optimum to have government providing the competition, it's clear something needs to be tried to get the cost of health insurance and medical care under control.

The private insurance companies will surely fight this plan, but the public discussion could force some changes that will benefit consumers.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler favors the plan, as it should be especially beneficial for people buying health insurance on the individual market who don't qualify for a subsidy.

Inslee wants $500,000 to fund the initial work to set up the public option, according to the Times. "It is going to be a challenge to enact. It is going to be a challenge to implement. But it is worth the cost because there are people out there still hurting," Kreidler said.

Again, this might not be the correct solution to this vexing problem, but it's an option that should be explored. The status quo can't be sustained.

Editorials are the opinion of the Union-Bulletin's Editorial Board. The board is composed of Brian Hunt, Rick Eskil, James Blethen and Alasdair Stewart

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