In 2001, Washington received HRSA State Planning Grant funds to profile the uninsured in the state and to research innovations in providing access to affordable health insurance coverage and adequate benefits, especially through expanded public-private partnerships. The in-depth profiles of uninsured individuals and families plus the mapping of current pathways for coverage and for access to safety-net-provided care allowed Washington to set the stage for detailed analysis of gaps, overlaps, and barriers to coverage and care. A special emphasis was placed on understanding individual affordability. Major data sources consisted of existing surveys (population-based and employer-based), a project-specific survey to gather information on benefit designs and costs, administrative data, and focus groups.
In 2005, Washington received a HRSA pilot project planning grant to provide expert technical assistance for Washington to design a small business assistance program. The focus of the program was a small employer purchasing pool; a component of the program was premium assistance to help low-income families buy-into employer coverage.
State Profiles
