Health Care
Why is this area of government important?
Healthy kids learn more in school. Healthy adults pay less for health care, contribute to building vibrant communities and live happier, more productive lives.
Citizens from across the state have told us that having health care coverage is important, but that is not enough: good health care also means affordable coverage and access to the medical services we all need.
What is state government’s role?
In the 1980s and 1990s, Washington was a leader in providing health-care coverage. The state expanded coverage for low-income working families and children and created a high-risk pool to hold down costs. When employer-based coverage began to decline, expanded public programs filled the gap for many families.