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State to fund HIP from your
'hip-pocket'
Sparks flew in the House
Health Care and Wellness Committee today as state lawmakers debated two
very contentious bills for Republicans.
The first bill was House Bill 2537 – modifying the Health Insurance
Partnership (HIP). The HIP was created last year to increase consumer
choice, portability of health insurance, and was a mechanism for
government-premium subsidies for low-income individuals explains Rep.
Bill Hinkle, ranking Republican on the committee.
“When the Health Insurance Partnership passed last year, it was suppose
to bring meaningful change,” explains Hinkle, R-Cle Elum.
“Unfortunately, in just one year and with the addition of House Bill
2537, it has morphed into a bureaucratic, expensive mess. The new bill
takes portability and choice away but still will cost taxpayers more
than $125 million over the next five years.”
HB 2537 was voted out of committee 9-3 today with all three Republicans
voting against the measure.
The second bill that stirred up controversy was HB 2536 – establishing a
citizens' work group on health care that would be appointed by the state
insurance commissioner. Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, has strong
opposition to the insurance commissioner’s involvement.
“I believe this bill has merit and people do want to weigh in, but the
insurance commissioner has already outlined his health care agenda. It
is not acceptable for him to be appointing members to this group. I do
not believe we will get an unbiased viewpoint under this scenario. I
also question the various choices the work group will review because
they may not reflect the choices the citizens want to discuss,” said
Condotta.
During the meeting, Hinkle spoke about bringing forward change that will
lower costs and get more people insured. “We want to see everyone have
health care. The problem with the health care debate is the majority
party tries to simplify it into catchy phrases and exploit peoples’
fears and anxiety. We need to be honest with Washingtonians and we need
to be taking away layers of government bureaucracy, not adding them. The
state already spends 35 percent of its budget on health care – this is
not sustainable.”
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For more information, contact:
Mike Deising, Public
Information Officer - (360) 786-7698
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