Blog

Two opposing views on Washington’s long-term care program

The Forefront blog of Health Affairs has published two counter-takes on WA Cares, Washington’s delayed long-term care program. One considers WA Cares a failure, and the other (while acknowledging some problems) considers WA Cares a model. I wanted to add some context for both. (Technically, WA Cares is the long-term services and supports trust [LTSST] […]

Based on actual long-term care program opt-out data, the payroll tax rate will need to rise by an estimated 0.036%–0.061% to maintain solvency

As we noted in our 2021 report on the state’s long-term care program, it looks like the 0.58% payroll tax rate for the program will not be high enough to maintain actuarial solvency. By statute, the premium rate for the long-terms services and supports trust (LTSST) program (also known as WA Cares) cannot exceed 0.58%. […]

Medicaid savings and Washington’s long-term care program

Since our report last year on Washington’s now-delayed long-term care program, the Office of the State Actuary has published new information on Medicaid savings and private opt-outs. (I’ll write about the opt-outs in another post). The long-term care program is technically called the long-term services and supports trust (LTSST) program, but it is commonly known […]

In dismissing long-term care lawsuit, federal judge makes some unexpected points about the program

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has dismissed the class action lawsuit that asked the Court to find the state’s long-term care program (WA Cares) “unlawful and unenforceable under ERISA, federal, and state law.” (The link to the ruling is via this AP story.) The Court held that it does not […]

Long-term care program solvency would improve with 18-month delay, but the premium rate would still need to be higher than 0.58%

Yesterday the Appropriations Committee heard HB 1732 and HB 1733. HB 1732 would delay the state’s long-term care (LTC) program by 18 months and make individuals born before 1968 eligible for the program if they pay premiums for at least a year (benefits would be prorated). HB 1733 would add voluntary exemptions for veterans with […]

Several fiscal bills have been introduced today: Reserves, tax relief, long-term care

First, HB 1875 (Stokesbary) would transfer $1.0 billion from the Washington rescue plan transition account back to the budget stabilization account (BSA, or the rainy day fund). The enacted 2021–23 budget had needlessly transferred $1.0 billion from the BSA to the new Washington rescue plan transition account. This shadow reserve account is not subject to […]

Washington’s long-term care program could be delayed by 18 months (and other pre-filed bills would make other changes to the program)

A slew of bills has been pre-filed that would make changes to the state’s long-term care (LTC) program. As we’ve written, the Legislature should consider whether the state should be in this line of business. In December, Gov. Inslee, Senate Majority Leader Billig, and House Speaker Jinkins announced that they were “delaying” the premium assessment, […]

A sweetened beverage tax would help fund public health

SB 5371 would impose a statewide tax on distributors of sweetened beverages, with the intent to lower consumption of sweetened beverages and promote both foundational public health and health equity. Under SB 5371, the tax rate would initially be 1.75 cents per fluid ounce. The rate would be increased by inflation each July 1. Distributors […]

Proposed covered lives tax would fund public health, but not until 2023

One of the new taxes in Gov. Inslee’s operating budget proposal is a “covered lives assessment.” This charge on health insurers would fund “new and ongoing investments in foundational public health services.” The tax has been introduced as SB 5149, and the bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care […]

The economic downturn could increase the number of Medicaid clients in Washington by 17–37 percent

Health Management Associates (HMA) has modeled what could happen with health insurance coverage in the states during this downturn. They consider low, medium, and high unemployment scenarios and find that, nationally, “All three scenarios result in a significant shift from the number of Americans covered by employer provided insurance to some form of Medicaid or […]