Inslee Says Health Care Act Rollout Is On Track In Washington

Despite Republican efforts to block the health care reform plan known as Obamacare, Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he’s confident the plan is moving forward.

Speaking today on KUOW’s The Record, Inslee said the state is ready to roll out a major component of the Affordable Care Act. Next week, the state’s online marketplace for health plans will open for enrollment. Inslee said that the state is ready to push the green button on October 1.

According to a recent census report, nearly 1 million people in Washington are without health insurance. A statement from Inslee’s office says half of those people are expected to qualify for low-cost or free insurance.

Census data also shows the number of uninsured people in Washington has crept slightly higher in recent years. About 14 percent of state residents were without coverage last year.

Across the state, the highest rates of uninsured people are in the Eastern Washington counties of Yakima, Franklin and Adams county. There, about one in four people have no health insurance.

Alternately, the highest rates of coverage are in King and Kitsap counties.

Last week, in Washington, D.C., House Republicans passed a measure that would cancel funds for President Obama’s signature health care act. But Senate Democrats say they have enough votes to keep the funding in place.