Workers in Washington should have easier access to health insurance

By Jamie Kenny | The Olympian's Diversity Panel • Published March 18, 2009

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"Keep health care affordable," the signs read. A multitude of people were excitedly carrying signs and waving them to passers-by on a sunny Monday in January along Capitol Way.

"Oh, sure, they can look enthusiastic because they are probably all well insured," I thought. When I looked closer, I realized this was a group of Service Employees International Union members. As a Public School Employees member, I am affiliated with SEIU, so why wasn't I marching toward the Capitol as I know first hand about affordable health care?

When my husband became a public school teacher, we entered the world of tough choices for insurance coverage. The monthly insurance premium we paid at his old job was $35, but as a teacher $500 would be deducted from his paycheck every month. We were not prepared for this, but it began to open my eyes about the incredibly difficult decisions good parents had been making for a long time about their health and the health of their children.

Thankfully, I learned about Washington's Basic Health Plan and enrolled for a premium of $70 a month. With our children covered by Healthy Options, our total health insurance premium was about $100 a month, which was doable.

In time, our income went beyond the Basic Health income limits and I was presented with another tough choice: to be or not to be insured. Faced with spending $300 each month just for myself on insurance that was offered through the school district, I chose to go without. I continue to be thankful for my children's insurance through state Children's Health Insurance Program and appreciate the $30 monthly premiums we pay.

I eventually discovered a catastrophic health plan and now think $120 a month for a $2,500 deductible is a bargain. Group Health Cooperative, Lifewise Health Plan of Washington and Premera Blue Cross offer catastrophic plans that are worth investigating.

There is much talk now about overhauling the health care system in our country. Both sides have valid points. People who have never struggled with having insurance just don't understand what uninsured people go through. Currently, there are 600,000 Washingtonians who are uninsured.

Clearly I haven't been alone, and there is nothing shameful about being without insurance. The only shame is doing nothing.

I don't believe it is the government's role to provide me with health care. I don't believe health insurance is a right, but a privilege and working people should have easier access to it.

The more competition there is for insurance, the lower the premiums. Costs will be shaved to compete for customers. Also, as insurance pools grow, risks are spread, which lowers the premiums for all.

Through Centralia School District, an employee and spouse can choose Group Health for $997.31 each month. As individuals, the same two people can have Group Health for $440 each month if they choose a $1,000 deductible. The lower cost insurance might not be the Cadillac plan, but something is better than nothing. This allows people to pay less and be responsible more.

According to The Associated Press, President Barack Obama's plan calls for government, employers, families and individuals to keep sharing financial responsibility for health care. I am willing to share responsibility for my health care and take better care of myself. I hope government and employers are willing to share responsibility as well.

Jamie Kenny, a member of The Olympian's Board of Contributors, lives in Tenino with her husband and two teenage children. She can be reached at kpraise2him@scattercreek.com.