New law to offer free or discounted hospital care to 4 million Washingtonians

residents will qualify for free or discounted care at hospitals across the state, giving Washington the strongest protections in the country for out-of-pocket hospital costs.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson worked with Representatives Tarra Simmons , Eileen Cody and Nicole Macri onThe bill guarantees free hospital care to one million people who are currently eligible for discounted care, and expands discounted care to an additional one million. "This is a landmark achievement for affordable health care," Ferguson said. "Too many Washingtonians are just one hospital bill away from financial crisis." All Washingtonians within three times the federal poverty level are now eligible for financial support.

Nationwide, about two-thirds of individuals who file for bankruptcy cite medical issues as a key contributor, and more than half of collection items on credit reports are for medical debts. Access to care is also an equity issue, as communities of color are disproportionately underinsured and vulnerable to unexpected medical expenses.

The prior law only provided free care for those earning less than the federal poverty level — $17,420 per year for a two-person household — and sliding scale discounts for those earning up to two times the poverty level. About 1.8 million Washingtonians were previously eligible for financial assistance.

Amazing!! But we should probably work in staffing these places first!

Free. I love how democrats and state run media throw that word around. Nothing is free. Someone is paying for it.

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