The Business Case for Universal Health Care 1 Washington Health Security Trust: How to get to state-based health coverage for all

The American health care model 2 “I’ll have someone come in and prep you for the bill.”

Premature death, ages 0-69 U.S. Paying much more while getting much less US Dollars 3 U.S. Health care spending per person Potential years of life lost per 100K

4 The high cost of care in the U.S. Public Citizen, “Severing the Tie That Binds: Why a Publicly Funded, Universal Health Care System Would Be a Boon to U.S. Businesses” healthcare-report.pdf Costs for Selected Procedures, U.S. vs. France (2012 data from International Federation of Health Plans)

5 Why do we pay so much more? 1. Private insurers’ high overhead 2. Health-care industry profits 3. Lack of pricing transparency 4. Deferred treatment

6 1. Private insurers’ high overhead

7 2. Health-care industry profits  Large hospitals and healthcare systems  The insurance industry  The pharmaceutical industry  The medical device industry  Specialist physicians and surgeons  The healthcare lobbying industry  Malpractice attorneys

8 Hospital costs of total hip replacement*  Medicare: Payment to hospital $ 18,000 Overhead 500 Total cost $ 18,500  Employer-funded insurance: Payment to hospital $ 43,000 Overhead/Profit 13,500 Total cost $ 56,500 *varies slightly by state Figures provided by Patrick Noonan, Medical Device Consultant 3. Lack of pricing transparency

9 4. Deferred treatment “Toothache Leads to Boy's Death.” ABC News, March 5, Cost of pulling an abscessed tooth Cost of treating a brain infection $80 $250,000 A 12-year-old boy had an abscessed tooth. His mother was unable to pay $80 to have it pulled. He developed a severe brain infection. After two surgeries and weeks of care costing $250,000, he died.

10 A better way to pay for health care Universal coverage:  A single agency for health care financing  Publicly financed, but privately delivered  An improved ability to control costs  Continuity of care, regardless of employment status

11 health of employees auto insurance rates administrative burden How your business can benefit from universal health coverage competitive disadvantage disposable income of consumers L&I medical premiums provider networks

Business support for universal coverage 12 “Virtually every other industrialized country has some form of universal health insurance. Why not us?” “We're For A Universal Health Care System” (Editorial), Businessweek, October 6, health-care-system could-save-our-states-state-sponsored-single-payer-healthcare-would- bring-in-business-jobs/ “[ ” “[I]t makes nothing but dollars and sense for clever state governments to shift to a single-payer state healthcare system...” Rick Ungar, “,” Forbes online, April 6, 2012 Rick Ungar, “A Dose Of Socialism Could Save Our States,” Forbes online, April 6, 2012

Public support for universal coverage 13

14 Washington Health Security Trust  All Washington residents covered  Simple, easy to understand  Comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, and mental health) with no deductibles or co-pays  Choice of any licensed provider  Lower cost - much lower administrative costs and negotiated prices  Purchase of supplementary benefits allowed

How the WHST is to be financed 15  Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight will: commission an actuarial study devise a financing system to raise sufficient funds  Funding sources may include: an employer assessment on ALL employers an individual premium for all adult residents

How we got this far 16  1993: State legislature passes Health Services Act, which would have covered everyone in the state by It is repealed before it goes into effect.  2000: WHST bill is drafted and filed as an initiative. It fails to collect enough signatures to qualify.  : WHST bill is introduced in each legislative biennium.  2013: WHST bill is redrafted to comply with the Affordable Care Act. More than 100 supporters attend a House hearing.  2015: HB 1025 / SB 5132 has 40 co-sponsors.

Is state-based universal coverage really possible? 17

We all want the same things 18  Healthy employees  Lower cost  Higher productivity  No more stress about health coverage Relax! You’re covered.

How you can help  Tell your Washington State legislators about the importance of making The Washington Health Security Trust a reality.  Book a Health Care For All-Washington speaker to come out and talk with your group or organization.  Talk with everyone you know about universal health coverage and the Washington Health Security Trust.  Join Health Care For All-Washington. 19

20 Washington Health Security Trust Universal coverage is possible —sooner, better, and cheaper! “The reality is that Canadians spend far less per capita on health care than we do in the U.S., yet they have better health outcomes overall. And they have achieved universal coverage.” Wendell Potter (former vice-president of corporate communications, CIGNA) health-care-system-pushed-canada Rev. 2/15