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Hinkle challenges governor
to reduce cost,
improve choices in health care
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, ranking Republican on the House Health Care
Committee, is calling for true reforms to address the state’s growing
health care crisis – an issue largely bungled by Democrats in the
Legislature the past two years. He’s hoping the governor’s new
proclaimed interest in health care doesn’t lead to the same failed
policies, but instead will result in new solutions to the growing
problems of skyrocketing costs and limited access to health insurance.
“I’m relieved to hear the governor finally is focusing on health care.
It’s the first sign of any real interest in this issue that we’ve seen
from Democrats in Olympia since she took office,” said Hinkle, R-Cle
Elum. “We need to address the systemic problems in health care now that
make it difficult for families and employers to afford coverage.”
Gregoire recently said she does not have any preconceived ideas about
proposals for the 2007 legislative session and said the problem cries
out for a national solution.
“This is where Republicans and the governor have fundamentally different
views on health care. There are things we should be doing as a state to
improve access to affordable health care. The approach we’ve seen from
Democrats – sending people to Canada for their prescription drugs, suing
Wal-Mart, and blaming the federal government while herding more people
into government-run health care – are not serious answers to solving our
health care problems.
“Our solutions reside in our own state’s borders and entail using the
health care resources within – including the advantages offered by
greater consumer choice and free markets,” said Hinkle. “We need to
create a competitive, consumer-driven health care system and limit
costly government regulation in order to encourage insurers and
providers to return to Washington state. It’s critical that we put
consumers back into the equation. Right now it seems as though
government and the insurance industry are in control of our health care
decisions, and the patient is at the bottom rung of the decision-making
process. With consumers in control, they are able to stretch their
health care dollars, select the best care to fit their needs, and be
rewarded for healthy decision-making and lifestyle choices. Since the
governor has no preconceived ideas on proposals for 2007, we hope she’ll
pay attention to our ideas.”
The 2006 legislative session has been described by Republicans as a
wasted opportunity for health care reforms. Republicans offered a
comprehensive health care plan, but the provisions were either ignored
or defeated by the majority Democrats in the House.
Republican proposals include the following:
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Allowing health
insurance carriers to offer mandate-free plans, changing community
rating laws, and empowering consumers to purchase health plans that
meet their needs – including Health Savings Accounts. (HB 1684)
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Retiring all existing
health insurance statutes and calling for Legislative review to
enact new statutes and identify government regulations that are
restricting consumer choice and driving up health care costs. (HB
2904)
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Providing tax
incentives for small employers who provide health care for their
employees. (HB 2728)
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Excluding Health
Savings Accounts (HSAs) sold to small employers from
community-rating laws and establishing a program within the Basic
Health Plan for qualified low-income employees to receive a subsidy
to participate in HSAs offered by their employers. (HB 2555)
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Requiring DSHS to
submit a waiver to the federal government to reform our Medicaid
program by incorporating marketplace principles, consumer choice,
and personal responsibility into the program. (HB 2556)
House Republican Leader
Richard DeBolt also wonders where the governor’s leadership has been on
health care and why it is now a priority for her.
“After two sessions, the governor has shown us her priorities, which
include double-digit spending growth and higher taxes,” said DeBolt,
R-Chehalis. “Now we’re told she’s going to do for health care what she’s
done for education. We need to do more than throw taxpayer money at this
problem. We need innovative ideas and bold reforms that offer more
consumer choice and affordable health care coverage for families in
Washington.”
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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