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Herrera amendment allows
state to look into possibility of citizens purchasing out-of-state heath
insurance
Senate Bill 5261 passes off House floor
A successful amendment
sponsored by Rep. Jaime Herrera would allow the state to look
into the possibility of letting Washington citizens purchase health
insurance policies across state lines.
Herrera’s amendment would require the Insurance Commissioner to
explore the feasibility of operating a multistate health insurance pool
for people purchasing individual health coverage.
“Our health care challenges are complex and we need to think outside the
box,” said Herrera, R-Ridgefield. “We must explore ways to
empower consumers and allow them to purchase affordable health insurance
that has a range of options. That’s what my amendment looks into – and
it changes the mindset of ‘what is’ to ‘what could be.’”
Herrera noted on the House floor that there are more than 22,000
people who are uninsured in Clark County – and thousands of middle-class
families and self-employed individuals who pay high health insurance
premiums.
“One of my top priorities is ensuring access to quality and affordable
health care,” said Herrera. “We continue to have too many people
who face significant obstacles in the health insurance marketplace –
such as sky-rocketing costs, limited choices of insurers and inflexible
benefit options.”
The amended bill passed off the House floor today 68-26 – with
Herrera voting “yes.” The measure would grant the Insurance
Commissioner the authority to review individual health benefit plan
rates.
The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end March 13.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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