If you missed the January 4th meeting and would like to see it, here is the link.
For a bit of background for new readers, click here.
The January 4th meeting started with a summary of the findings from the WA State Institute for Public Policy as a comparison of countries that use a multi payer health care system as opposed to a single payer system. Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland are countries whose health insurance coverage is administered through multiple, mostly nonprofit, insurers. On the other hand the United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries utilize a single payer model where the national health service owns many hospitals and clinics. This is a slight difference in Canada and Australia where providers are typically private and are reimbursed through a tax-financed government plan. In both single and multi payer systems, governments regulate insurers, subsidize coverage for low income residents, determine standardized benefit packages and finally control prices of services and drugs.
Unsurprisingly, in all countries the cost of health care was significantly lower with significantly better health outcomes. The USA spends about 18% ($9,400/person) of our GDP with higher rates of infant mortality and maternal deaths than other countries which spend on average about 11% ($5000).
We also heard from consulting firm Health Management Associates who started with a historical background including the 2006 Washington State Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs & Access. HCFA-WA Board Member Dr. Weinberg noted that no action was taken on the 2006 recommendations and emphasized the need to ensure the UHCC recommendations are enacted and do not suffer the same fate.
The firm presented their analysis of the models put forth in the 2019 Universal Health Care Working Group with the final slide showing that Model A scored highest on their criteria of Access, Affordability, Equity, Governance, Administration and Quality. Their conclusion of Model A as the least feasible drew pushback from Work Group members.
The actuaries found that if Model A were implemented, it would save $1.56 billion in health care spending statewide in the first year, and $5.5 billion each year thereafter, while also guaranteeing high-quality, comprehensive health care to every Washington resident. In fact in a straw poll the majority of the Work Group chose Model A as the most feasible model to deliver truly affordable and universal health care.
If you would like the slides from the Jan 4th meeting, click this link.