King County plan to get health coverage for all

An estimated 180,000 people in King County have no health care coverage. A plan is in the works to sign them up.

The campaign was outlined by County Executive Dow Constantine Monday during his State of the County speech. Constantine is enlisting community leaders in health care, business and the non-profit sector to enroll people who are eligible for subsidized coverage or Medicaid under health care reform.

“If all non-profits who work with the low-income do that, we’ll have a much better chance of achieving that 180,000 number,” said Gordon McHenry Jr., executive director of the non-profit Solid Ground. He says agencies like Solid Ground interact with the needy on a daily basis.

“We have the ability to take the time to ask them: ‘Are they aware of the new benefits in terms of affordable health care? Have they signed themselves up? Have they signed their dependents up?'”

Enrollment begins in October for coverage starting next year. In his speech at the Museum of History and Industry, in Seattle, Constantine announced what he calls a Leadership Circle to advise him on enrollment and outreach.

McHenry blames lack of health insurance for shortened life expectancy, joblessness and kids who don’t do well in school.