SCI Reinsurance Institute
In 2006 Washington received a Reinsurance Institute Grant. Grant funds were used to model simulated reinsurance for a range of spending corridors covering either all small-firm coverage, non-group coverage, or both. Twelve different configurations of reinsurance subsidy were modelled, including narrow, broad, and catastrophic forms of reinsurance.
To read more about the results of Washington's reinsurance simulation, see SCI's report "Reinsurance in State Health Reform," and the Urban Institute's memorandum, "Washington Specific Requests of Reinsurance Institute."
SCI Policy Planning Grant
In 2005 the Washington Health Care Authority was awarded a SCI Policy Planning Grant. The Health Care Authority plays a key role in providing access to quality, affordable health care through several state-funded programs including Basic Health, Community Health Services, and the Public Employees Benefits Board. Like many other states, Washington was concerned with the erosion of private coverage, particularly for small businesses.
The focus of Washington's program was a small-employer purchasing pool. Premium assistance is one component of the program, which helped low-income working families buy into employer coverage. The Governor's Small Business Assist initiative began in January 2007. The grant funded necessary actuarial, economic, budget, and legal analysis and modeling for benefit design, financing and funding, and risk management work groups. The grant also supported marketing and implementation activities.
State Profiles
