The Uninsured in Washington State

Results from a Public Opinion Poll Conducted in January 2005 Among 750 Registered Voters

Updated 1.22.05

Voters Say Healthcare is the #1 Problem • This year Healthcare topped the Economy as

the number one problem facing the state.

The Uninsured is the #1 Healthcare Concern

14%

27%

17%

12%

24%

25%

High cost ofprescription

drugs

Rising cost ofhealth

insurance

Peoplewithout health

insurance

Dec. 2003 Jan. 2005

• This year, voters are more concerned about “People Without Health Insurance” than the “Rising Cost of Health Insurance”

Voters Want a Viable Healthcare Safety-Net That Provides Coverage and Care for the Uninsured

• 81% of voters say it is VERY important to have a healthcare safety-net, up from 74% last year

• 53% of voters say it is VERY appropriate to spend tax dollar to protect the safety net, up from 48% last year

• 82% of voters say protecting the healthcare safety-net should be a priority for elected state officials, up from 76% last year

• 87% of voters agree that community health centers should be supported by the state

• 85% agree that it is imperative that the state financially support local hospitals that provide free healthcare to the uninsured at emergency rooms

Legislation to Increase Health Insurance Coverage

SupportStrongly Support

Oppose

Having the legislature gradually expand health coverage for children so that by 2010, all children would be covered by some form of health insurance, either through their parents’ employer, or through the state.

85% 61% 15%

Having the legislature increase state funding to community health clinics that must treat people regardless of their ability to pay.

81% 54% 19%

Voters Support Legislation to Provide Health Insurance for the Uninsured

Legislation to Increase Health Insurance Coverage

SupportStrongly Support

Oppose

Having the legislature require larger employers to provide affordable basic health insurance to employees or pay a health insurance tax that would be used to cover uninsured workers.

76% 53% 24%

Having the legislature eliminate administrative barriers intended to reduce Medicaid fraud that instead have prevented tens of thousands of eligible children from receiving health insurance.

70% 47% 30%

Having the legislature eliminate Medicaid premiums for families of children living near the poverty line

60% 33% 40%

Voters Support Legislation to Provide Health Insurance for the Uninsured

Businesses Have a Responsibility to Provide Health Insurance to Employees

• 95% of voters say it is important for larger employers to provide affordable, basic health insurance

• 53% of voters say that larger employers are avoiding their responsibility by not providing coverage

• 68% of voters think that the state should require larger employers to provide health insurance

• 83% of voters agree that large corporations should be held accountable to minimum public standards, including providing health insurance to employees

• 69% of voters agree that corporations have an obligation to pay their fair share towards the cost of providing healthcare to the uninsured

Voters Support Mental Health Parity and Mental Health Coverage

• 86% of voters agree that state residents should get the same level of health insurance for mental illness that they get for physical health problems

• 79% of voters support the legislature requiring the same level of health insurance for mental illnesses that residents get for physical health problems even if insurance premiums were increased slightly (less than 1%)

• 69% of voters support requiring the legislature to come up with $81 million in state funding to offset lost federal funding for uninsured mental health care

Taxes SupportStrongly Support

Oppose

A fifty cents tax on cigarettes. 82% 69% 18%

Eliminating a tax loophole that allows real estate agents to avoid paying taxes on their commissions.

73% 60% 27%

A higher tax on alcohol. 77% 56% 23%

A five cents tax on cans or bottles of beer. 75% 53% 25%

A five cents tax on cans or bottles of soda. 71% 51% 29%

Voters Support New Taxes on Tobacco and Alcohol and Closing Tax Loopholes to Raise Revenues to Provide Coverage for the Uninsured

Voters Believe that Having Uninsured People Raises Healthcare Costs

• Voters understand the connection between visits to emergency rooms and clinics and the cost of healthcare

• 95% of voters think people lacking health insurance increases overall healthcare costs

• 70% of voters think people lacking health insurance increases their families’ monthly premium

• 89% of voters say it is more cost effective to pay for health insurance now for the uninsured than to pay later after they develop problems that are expensive to treat

• 79% of voters are convinced that if the state doesn’t fund mental healthcare services now, more mentally ill patients will end up in jail or develop physical problems, resulting in higher costs