March 10, 2009

House votes to delay, but continue, implementation of the Health
Insurance Partnership
'By continuing this program, we're delaying real health care solutions for our small business and their employees,' says Hinkle

Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, spoke on the House floor this afternoon against legislation that would delay, but keep alive, what he calls "a failed health care policy."

"The title of the bill says it all," Hinkle said.  "The title of the bill is 'Delaying the implementation of the health insurance partnership.'  By continuing this program, we're delaying real health care solutions for our small businesses and their employees.  We're again creating an empty and unrealistic promise.  Why, after two years of impotence by the Health Care Authority, are we giving them another two years to figure this out?

"We have the opportunity to make the real changes our small employers want, and yet we continue along the path of expensive, failed policies," continued Hinkle.  "Our small businesses - those that are left in this state - are telling us exactly what they need.

"We could have offered a small tax incentive for employers who offer health insurance to their employees.  We could have passed legislation allowing employers and individuals to purchase health care coverage across state lines.  We could have passed legislation offering core benefit plans that more accurately reflect a group's risk and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their health and health care spending.  These are real solutions small businesses want," Hinkle said.  "Instead, our employers are left shackled to a 'partnership' that fails to provide real solutions."

The Health Insurance Partnership is administered by the State Health Care Authority.  It was created to provide health insurance coverage for employees of small businesses by combining contributions from the employees, the employers and a public subsidy from the state.  It was set to begin offering health insurance coverage by March 2009.

However, Hinkle said the state-sponsored health care program is more expensive than out-of-state options in the private market, limits available choices, and is not the answer that small businesses are looking for.

Because the program did not receive funding in Gov. Gregoire's proposed 2009-11 operating budget, and with future funding for the program in doubt, the plan has folded at this time.

House Bill 2052 keeps the Health Insurance Partnership alive by delaying the implementation date to Jan. 1, 2011, unless sufficient state or federal funds are provided to begin operation sooner.

"At every turn, we should be using our state's economic situation and the projected $8 billion deficit as a vehicle to reform government; to deliver the services our people need more efficiently and with more accountability," Hinkle said.  "Instead, we're delaying policies, putting financial band aids on gaping wounds and continuing with the 'business as usual approach' that brought us to this point.  It's an effort in futility."

House Bill 2052 passed the House 62-34 with one excused.  It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

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