The legislature is considering a bill, SB 5052, designed to reduce the number of uninsured in Washington by lowering the cost of private health insurance for people ages 19 to 34, the age group most likely to lack health coverage. The bill would allow people in this age group to access a core benefits health plan in Washington. The bill was introduced, but not passed, in the 2007 and 2008 sessions, and has been reintroduced in slightly revised form for 2009.

Fewer mandates, greater consumer choice and vigorous price competition among insurers in an energized insurance market is the most effective way to promote access to affordable, high-quality health care for all Washington citizens, and this proposal represents a significant policy change in this direction.

Read the full Legislative Memo here