The number of uninsured in Washington is unacceptable
- 1 in every 7 Washington residents does not have any health insurance.
- 65% of these uninsured are from working families.
- 10% of Washington kids under 18 do not have health insurance.
- Only 73% of kids between 19-35 months have received their standard immunizations.
- 40% of Hispanics in Washington are uninsured.
The number of uninsured is rising
- Employer coverage is shrinking. Between 1996 and 1999 alone, the average annual out-of-pocket cost of health insurance for Washington employees grew by 21% for an individual policy, and 33% for a family policy.
- Employers have reported plans to pass on an additional 12-14% of health care costs to employees in 2003.
- As their share of costs increase, many employees must choose to go without health insurance – 57% of the uninsured said they did not have coverage because they could not afford it.
Lack of Health Insurance Threatens Economic Security
- 68% of Washingtonians in a recent poll said they were very worried about finding affordable quality health insurance.
- Medical bills are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy for uninsured families.
More To Read
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Read EOI Executive Director's 2025 Changemaker Dinner speech
March 24, 2025
Remembering former Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp
Rep. Chopp was Washington state’s longest-serving Speaker of the House
February 11, 2025
The rising cost of health care is unsustainable and out of control
We have solutions that put people over profits