Originally published Monday, January 25, 2010 at 11:57 AM

Wash. gov presses Congress to act on health care

Gov. Chris Gregoire and other state leaders are pushing Congress to move ahead with a health care reform plan, despite the recent election of a Republican senator from Massachusetts.

By CURT WOODWARD

Associated Press Writer

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

Gov. Chris Gregoire and other state leaders are pushing Congress to move ahead with a health care reform plan, despite the recent election of a Republican senator from Massachusetts.

Gregoire says the current federal subsidy system for health care is unfair to Washington state, because the system doesn't do enough to reward efficiency.

The Democratic governor also wants the feds to help pay for the state's Basic Health Plan, and health coverage under the General Assistance welfare program.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler (KRIDE'-lur) says the annual cost of unpaid medical care in Washington could surpass $1 billion next year. He also says the number of Washingtonians without health insurance is heading toward 1 million.

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