More information on health care reform and related issues
The Blue Ribbon Commission on health care costs and access: In 2006 and 2007, Washington's state legislature convened a panel to examine health care costs and access. The panel included the governor, top lawmakers and officials from state agencies.
In its final report in January 2007, the commission came up with 16 recommendations. Among them:
-Using state purchasing policy to reward health care that measurably improves health
-Providing more cost and quality information to consumers and health-care providers, on the theory that informed shoppers are smart shoppers
-Reducing unnecessary emergency room visits
-and improving nutrition and physical activity for kids.
Surplus Accumulation in the Washington Health Insurance Market: In late 2006 and early 2007, the insurance commissioner's office and the Lewin Group examined major health insurers' finances, based on the recommendations of some stakeholders that the companies recent large investment earnings gains could be tapped to make health coverage more affordable for the uninsured.
The resulting Dec. 2006 report from the Lewin Group examined the question of whether there is a "right" level of surplus for all carriers, as well as policy options for regulating such surpluses. The report also looks as potential consequences of such moves, such as the potential reaction by insurers to drain off the surplus.
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