Washington House Democrats

Health care for all kids by 2010 becomes state law

Rep. Clibborn: "It's just a smart business decision to treat children early with preventive medicine, rather than at the most expensive point."

May 4, 2005

OLYMPIA – In an attempt to reverse the upward trend of uninsured in Washington, the Governor signed House Bill 1441 into law today, to provide health coverage to all children by the year 2010.

In 2002, there were 50,000 uninsured children in Washington state. By 2004, that number had grown to 67,000 children, with almost 60% of children in the state under private coverage and 35% of children with some form of publicly funded coverage, mainly Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Budget cutbacks and new regulatory policies passed by the Legislature to fill a $2.6 billion budget deficit last biennium contributed to the rise in uninsured children.

Although the state’s SCHIP program has seen an increase of about 5,000 children, there are still 45,000 children who have lost publicly funded health care. The majority of these children are likely uninsured today.

"Health insurance coverage means improved health for children," said State Representative Judy Clibborn (D – Mercer Island), the prime-sponsor of the legislation.

"Children with health insurance coverage are more likely to get preventive care and less likely to delay or forego a visit to the doctor when they are ill. A child who is ill can’t reach his or her potential in school and chances are it’ll hurt those around them."

Clibborn also noted the added cost to state and local governments and health care consumers in general, when the uninsured rely on expensive emergency room visits. "Ultimately, hospitals must pass the cost of the uninsured on to the consumers with insurance and governments that provide reimbursements for the poor.

"It's just a smart business decision to treat children early with preventive medicine, rather than at the most expensive point. This will save all of us money in the long run."

Representative Clibborn’s bill restores coverage to children under 18 who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.

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Staff Contact: James Paribello (360) 786-7843