Washington Senate votes to study health care rolls

By Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio

The Washington Senate has voted to authorize a study of the people who are enrolled in state-subsidized health care programs.

The study is, in part, a response to charges that large companies like Walmart refuse to provide affordable health benefits to many employees, driving them to government-funded plans.

Yakima Senator Alex Deccio says the study will show how many working people are enrolled in the state’s Basic Health Plan.

“We need to find out and get rid of all the rhetoric and all the anecdotal reports and let’s find out who really takes advantage of the Basic Health Plan, which, for the most part, is paid for by the taxpayers of the state of Washington.”

At least one state, Maryland, has targeted Walmart. It requires the giant retailer to pay a certain percentage of its payroll for health care benefits, or reimburse a state fund for providing subsidized care for that company’s employees. Several other states have considered or are considering similar bills, including Washington, although legislative leaders in Olympia refused to bring it to a vote.