Healthcare for All – Washington Washington Health Security Trust: How to get to state-based...
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Healthcare for All – Washington Washington Health Security Trust: How to get to state-based universal health care www.healthcareforallWA.org 1
Transcript of Healthcare for All – Washington Washington Health Security Trust: How to get to state-based...
Healthcare for All – Washington
Washington Health Security Trust:
How to get to state-based
universal health care
www.healthcareforallWA.org
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“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health careis the most shocking and inhumane.”
in a 1966 speech tothe Medical Committee
for Human Rights
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Does this make sense to you?
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Premature death, ages 0-69
U.S.
Paying much morewhile getting much less
US Dollars4
U.S.
Health care spending per person
Potential years of life lost per 100K
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The high cost of care in the U.S.
Public Citizen, “Severing the Tie That Binds: Why a Publicly Funded, Universal Health Care System Would Be a Boon to U.S. Businesses” http://www.citizen.org/documents/severing-the-ties-that-bind-business-universal-healthcare-report.pdf
Costs for Selected Procedures, U.S. vs. France(2012 data from International Federation of Health Plans)
The cost of deferred care
“Toothache Leads to Boy's Death.” ABC News, March 5, 2007.http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Dental/Story?id=2925584&page=1
Cost of pullingan abscessed tooth
Cost of treatinga brain infection
$80 $250,000
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A 12-year-old boy had an abscessed tooth. His mother was unable to pay $80 to have it pulled. He developed a severe brain infection. After two surgeries and weeks of care costing $250,000, he died.
Private insurers’ high overhead
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Complex, bureaucratic intermediariesstand between you and your doctor.
Your family
Your doctor
Private insurers
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How the U.S. does it
How other countries do it
Other countries regard health insurance as a public good.
They cover all residents.
They have fees supervised by the government.
They have no deductibles, though perhaps co-pays.
They have one universal benefit plan.
Supplemental insurance is allowed.
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Useful features ofthe Affordable Care Act
Young adults eligible for parents’ insurance
No lifetime limits on coverage
Medicare “donut” hole eliminated over 10 years
Preventive care included at no charge
Price discrimination now limited only to age and tobacco usage
States allowed to innovate with better plans
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Problems withthe Affordable Care Act
25 million or more uninsured after 2017
Provider continuity not guaranteed
Age discrimination in pricing
Half of the States have chosen not to expand Medicaid
Erratic oversight due to regulation at the state level
Four levels of cost sharing based on premium (platinum, gold, silver, bronze)
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We can do better!
Universal coverage:
Everybody in, nobody out
A single agency for health care financing
Publicly financed, but privately delivered
An improved ability to control costs
Continuity of care, regardless of employment status
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Washington Health Security Trust
All Washington residents covered
Simple, easy to understand
Comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, and mental health) with no deductibles or co-pays
Choice of any licensed provider
Lower cost - much lower administrative costs and negotiated prices
Purchase of supplementary benefits allowed
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How the WHST is to be financed
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Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight will: commission an actuarial study
devise a financing system to raise sufficient funds
Funding sources may include: an employer assessment on ALL employers
an individual premium for all adult residents
Washington Health Security Trust:“What’s in it for me?”
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Whether you’re insured, uninsured, retired, in school, or unemployed,the WHST will provide:
Lower-cost, high-quality care with choice of any licensed provider
Continuity of health coverage regardless of student or employment status
Possible Medigap coverage, supplementing Medicare
Relax! You’re covered.
Moving ahead – state by state
The Washington Health Security Trust (WHST) bill had a House hearing on Feb. 1, 2013; more than 100 people showed up in support of the bill. In the 2015 session it has 40 House and Senate co-sponsors.
In addition to Washington, activists in California, Oregon, Vermont, and many other states are working to implement universal coverage plans. They regularly share information and strategy as part of the group One Payer States.
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What you can do…. (1)
Talk to your state legislators in Olympia
Ask them to publicly support the Washington Health Security Trust, HB 1025 / SB 5132.
Use the comment link on the official bill website.
Tell them your personal story…in 60 seconds!
Talk to everyone you know about the WHST
Book a speaker for your group from Health Care For All-Washington
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What you can do…. (2)
Join Health Care for All—Washingtonand be a part of our statewide network of supporters
Meet with us …
● To practice “10 Best Talking Points”
● To plan meetings with legislators
● To rehearse our personal stories
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Washington Health Security Trust
Don’t wait for Congress to act. Universal coverage is possible, state by state!
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www.healthcareforallWA.org
Rev. 2/15
