AG unveils law to lower healthcare cost for millions of residents
Jul 1, 2022, 4:07 PM
Photo by Karen Ducey
Starting today, a new law goes into effect that makes 4 million Washington residents eligible to receive free or discounted hospital care.
House Bill 1616 will expand charity care eligibility to an additional 1 million Washingtonians than those who qualified before.
The legislation requires larger hospital systems to provide more financial assistance, especially for low-income residents, who disproportionately tend to be BIPOC.
For example, according to 2019 data from the Federal Reserve, the median bank account balance for Black households is about $1,500, less than one-fifth of the median balance for white households, averaging approximately $8,200. The median account balance for Latino households is about $2,000.
According to the state attorney general’s office, about two-thirds of people who file for bankruptcy nationwide say medical bills are the biggest reason, and more than half of collection items on credit reports are for medical debt.
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“Too many Washingtonians are just one hospital bill away from a financial crisis,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a prepared statement. “Our new law moves us away from a system where a single mom working two minimum wage jobs didn’t qualify for any help with her hospital bills, to something that offers help to about half the people in Washington. It’s the right thing to do. Make sure you know what kind of assistance you qualify for, and if you aren’t getting it, contact my office.”
The law ensures that everyone in our state within 300% of the federal poverty level, which is around $40,000 a year, is eligible for financial assistance
