State gets it right - and wrong, too

By Don C. Brunell

Washington lawmakers are considering a "connector" bill that emulates efforts in Massachusetts to attain universal health care coverage by requiring every person in the state to get health insurance. Nice idea, but Massachusetts officials are having a difficult time turning their dream into a reality. The plan is not yet implemented, and the monthly premiums have already doubled.

The costs are much higher than anticipated, increasing the need for taxpayer subsidies. Currently, the Massachusetts plan proposes to provide taxpayer subsidies to families of four that earn up to $62,000 a year.

Still, some Washington lawmakers are determined to move forward without waiting to see what happens in Massachusetts.

To date, Washington's version looks more like a health care disconnector, offering only four state-approved plans. One might ask, "What's the rush?" In a recent statewide poll of registered voters in Washington, 94 percent of those surveyed had health insurance coverage, and 87 percent were satisfied with their plans.

Sometimes, state officials get it right. Take global warming, for example.

The agenda set forth by former Vice President Al Gore to address global warming could devastate the U.S. economy, with no assurance that it would impact climate change.

Governor Gregoire has set ambitious goals for dealing with climate change, but she is adopting a more careful approach on how we can reach those goals. The governor has put together a 21-member advisory council which includes representatives from business, tribes, ports, utilities, agriculture and environmental groups. This approach will enable the state to better understand the effects of various alternatives, allowing us to anticipate the consequences before we act.

In other words, when it comes to global climate change, Gov. Gregoire is demonstrating that responsible public policy requires that you look before you leap.

Brunell is president of the Association of Washington Business.