SB 6198 - DIGEST

     Provides that any state resident may purchase from the authority any plan purchased for the public employees' benefit program or for the basic health plan.

     Provides that no resident whose gross family income is less than the equivalent of forty-five thousand dollars for a family of four, or three hundred percent of the federal poverty level as periodically adjusted for inflation, may be required to pay more than ten percent of their gross family income to obtain coverage under this act.

     Provides that any additional public funds that may be necessary to implement this section shall be raised by the legislature through increases in the tobacco tax as authorized under chapter 82.26 RCW.