Despite the enormous benefits Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide to Washington State’s families and economy, the Legislature is considering charging premiums to many children in these programs. The proposed premiums will wreck havoc on the lives of vulnerable children, cost the state more in the long run, and harm Washington’s economy.Continue reading “Not Even Pennywise: Premiums Will Harm Washington’s Children, Economy”
Category Archives: Publications
Keep the Heat On: Idaho Utility Regulations Threaten the Health and Safety of Idaho Families
Economic conditions in Idaho are squeezing low-income families from every direction. Unemployment continues to rise and many of Idaho’s families live in poverty. The rates of personal bankruptcy and lack of health insurance are also increasing. Skyrocketing energy costs are an unbearable burden when added to these economic realities. Energy consumers who turn to theContinue reading “Keep the Heat On: Idaho Utility Regulations Threaten the Health and Safety of Idaho Families”
Not Our Job: Employers Abandon Health Care Coverage, Leaving Washington Families and the State with the Bill
As large businesses cut health benefits or shift costs to employees, more and more workers must forego coverage. Employment is losing its status as the gateway to health care for working families, who must use publicly funded coverage or go without entirely. When employers leave their workers – especially low-wage employees – without coverage, theyContinue reading “Not Our Job: Employers Abandon Health Care Coverage, Leaving Washington Families and the State with the Bill”
Washington Lags Behind Other States in Corporate Disclosure and Accountability
States spend billions of dollars every year on tax breaks for businesses. A growing number of states require companies to disclose certain information on the tax breaks they have received. Disclosure allows states to evaluate the costs and benefits of tax breaks. States can monitor tax breaks by looking at job creation levels, job retention,Continue reading “Washington Lags Behind Other States in Corporate Disclosure and Accountability”
Don’t Lien on Me: Why the State’s Medical Indigency Care Program is Unhealthy for Idahoans
Health insurance is the most important vehicle for gaining access to health care services. It makes a substantial difference in the type of services people are able to obtain. The consequences for people without health insurance are serious: one study found that the uninsured are almost six times more likely than the insured to haveContinue reading “Don’t Lien on Me: Why the State’s Medical Indigency Care Program is Unhealthy for Idahoans”
End the Costly R&D Tax Breaks: Invest in Washington’s Families
In 1994, Washington State enacted the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax credit for Research and Development (R&D) and the sales tax deferral for R&D to, among other reasons, stimulate the economy and increase competitiveness in high technology. After nine years and extensive review by the Department of Revenue, it is clear that these tax incentivesContinue reading “End the Costly R&D Tax Breaks: Invest in Washington’s Families”
Idaho Lags Behind Region and Nation in Prescription Drug Savings
With prescription drug prices on the rise, more and more states are pooling the purchases of their state agencies and are joining together with other states to negotiate large prescription drug discounts. As this report details, numerous states are already saving substantial sums using purchasing pools. But Idaho lags behind the Northwest and the nationContinue reading “Idaho Lags Behind Region and Nation in Prescription Drug Savings”
Medicaid Supports Idaho’s County Economics
This report provides an overview of the important contributions Medicaid makes to the economy of and quality of life in Idaho. Throughout the state, Medicaid spending directly purchases goods and services, and supports health care industry jobs for Idaho’s counties. These direct health care purchases trigger further cycles of earning and purchases that ripple throughoutContinue reading “Medicaid Supports Idaho’s County Economics”
Living Sicker, Dying Younger: Montana’s Indian People Suffer from Inadequate Health Care
Montana’s Indian people have poorer health, higher disease rates, lower life expectancy and greater difficulty obtaining health care than other Montanans. Nearly 40 percent of American Indians in Montana are uninsured. Many are ineligible for Indian Health Services (IHS) because they do not live on a reservation and/or are not a member of a federallyContinue reading “Living Sicker, Dying Younger: Montana’s Indian People Suffer from Inadequate Health Care”
New Mexico Considers Universal Health Care Coverage, But Will Universal Also Mean Quality and Affordable?
Governor Bill Richardson handily won his election in 2003, returning the state to Democratic rule after eight years under a Republican governor. Richardson campaigned on universal health care, promising health care coverage to every New Mexican within four years. While his health care task force continues to meet and a formal plan has not yetContinue reading “New Mexico Considers Universal Health Care Coverage, But Will Universal Also Mean Quality and Affordable?”