Access to Health Care in Washington

Americans are losing their insurance in record numbers, and Washington is no exception

Fact:  79 percent of Washington's uninsured have at least one worker at home.¹

We can make coverage more reliable

How? BY JOINING TOGETHER.

What can we do about it?

Support legislation for more corporate responsibility on health care
While many businesses do the right thing and provide health care to their workers, 79 percent of Washington's uninsured come from a working family. When profitable companies choose not to provide affordable health benefits, workers suffer, and tax payers and private insurance holders pick up the tab.

We can support efforts to level the playing field for employers that provide health benefits so they can compete fairly by examining efforts to increase the number of employers providing health insurance.

Support legislation to help small businesses buy insurance
Approximately half of small businesses don't provide health coverage, largely because health insurance rates have been increasing more than 20 percent annually in recent years. States are looking to provide for a state purchasing pool for small businesses that will lower their cost of providing insurance.

Increase access to health insurance for the temporarily unemployed and other underinsured people
People who are laid off or experience temporary unemployment know how expensive COBRA payments can be on a tight budget. We need to improve opportunities that make COBRA more affordable and available.

Reduce prescription drug costs
By joining together, states and other employers can negotiate reasonable prices with prescription drug manufacturers. Drug costs make up 15 percent of total health care costs.

Get involved in safe staffing campaigns
Medical errors frequently occur when health care facilities are short staffed or when caregivers are forced to work mandatory overtime to the point of exhaustion. Health care employees and working families are joining together to reverse these disturbing trends by negotiating safe staffing levels and winning legislative protection.

 Groups such as the SEIU Nurse Alliance are making a difference