Washington Seeks To Expand Health Coverage To Undocumented Immigrants

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington has embarked on what state leaders call a "groundbreaking" effort to expand health care access to everyone, regardless of their immigration status.

The state on Friday submitted a Section 1332 Waiver Application, asking the federal government to approve a plan allowing everyone to enroll in health and dental coverage through the state's health care marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder.

“Since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act we have been charting a course toward providing health insurance coverage for all Washingtonians,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a news release. “This waiver comes at an important time in our health care journey and its approval would strengthen our ability to provide equitable access for historically marginalized and uninsured populations.”

The state estimates that some 105,000 Washington state residents are uninsured because of their immigration status— nearly a quarter of all uninsured Washingtonians.

Proponents of the plan say that, not only will it help those uninsured Washingtonians access care sooner, it will lessen the overall strain on the state's health care system.

"When our patients lack coverage, they put off preventative care, decompensate and ultimately enter our health care system sicker with preventable conditions," said SEIU 1199NW, a union representing a combined 71,000 workers across Washington state." The costs to our State and our healthcare system are immense, and the costs to patients and families is immeasurable."

The state has been exploring this possibility since 2021, when the legislature ordered the Washington Health Benefit Exchange to find new ways to provide coverage for those Washington residents who did not qualify for state or federal health care coverage.

If the waiver is approved, those Washingtonians would become eligible for coverage starting in 2024. Many would also qualify for Cascade Care Savings, a new effort to increase the availability of affordable health care coverage in Washington.

“There are many in our state who have never had a chance to buy health insurance,” said CEO Pam MacEwan. “This waiver gives those individuals a chance to secure meaningful health coverage for themselves and loved ones. Additionally, this opportunity aligns with other initiatives, including Cascade Care and premium sponsorship programs, to further state efforts to strengthen the individual health insurance market and lower the rate of the uninsured.”

The federal government has until Aug. 1 to issue a ruling on the waiver.