S-1940.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6067

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State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senator Thibaudeau

Read first time 03/01/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Establishing principles for affordable health insurance coverage.

    AN ACT Relating to access to individual health insurance coverage; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the following principles must be adopted in order to establish affordable health care for individuals:

    (1) Preserve access to appropriate health insurance coverage for individuals regardless of their age, gender, or current health status;

    (2) Retain the financial viability and solvency of both public and private programs dedicated to providing insurance coverage;

    (3) Create appropriate incentives for consumers to obtain and keep insurance;

    (4) Spread the cost of insuring those who need the most care among the broadest community; and

    (5) Increase the diversity of benefit packages available for those purchasing insurance in the individual market.

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