San Juan County Council members discuss next steps in sweeping ACA health care changes

By Darrell Kirk

Sounder contributor

San Juan County Council members are taking action to address a looming health care crisis affecting residents in the San Juan Islands, where insurance carrier options have dwindled to just one carrier, with LifeWise no longer serving San Juan County, the only county in Washington state with just one health insurance option — Ambetter Health.

During a council meeting held Nov. 4 at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Station, members discussed writing a letter to state legislators and the insurance commissioner to express concerns about the limited health care coverage options available to island residents. The situation has put self-insured individuals in particular jeopardy, with some facing the prospect of having no insurance at all.

San Juan County Council Member Kari McVeigh shared a stark example: "My friend, who is a small business owner without ACA coverage, told me that her monthly insurance costs will be $1,200 a month, and that's not sustainable. She's in her early fifties and will have no insurance because she simply can't afford it."

The crisis isn't new to the islands. Lopez Clinic faced a similar situation just a few years ago when carriers threatened to pull out, requiring extensive last-minute advocacy to secure coverage. Council members are working with superintendents from Lopez Island Hospital District to coordinate their advocacy efforts.

San Juan County Council Member Justin Paulsen acknowledged the uphill battle ahead: "We're advocating in a David versus Goliath situation. Unfortunately, every community in our country is in a David and Goliath situation with the insurance industry." He warned that if the Affordable Care Act is eliminated, "this becomes a whole different discussion," and that employer-sponsored plans "are going to explode in cost."

The Council has been in contact with the Northwest Washington Representative for the Governor's Office, Chairman Jeremy Harrison-Smith, and the insurance commissioner's office, which has been receiving tremendous traffic on this issue and is actively working with legislators on the benefit exchange.

County staff have prepared an FAQ to help residents understand that while this isn't within the jurisdiction of the County health department or hospital districts, residents can still advocate for themselves. Council members emphasized this should be a legislative push led by elected San Juan County officials to avoid burdening already-stretched health and community services staff.

The hospital district superintendents plan to sign their own letter of support, which will accompany the County Council's correspondence to state officials.