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Washington Businesses Reeling With Skyrocketing Health Care Cost

New survey shows workers can expect to pay more for their health care benefits

Washington– The uninsured aren’t the only ones who should be concerned about the skyrocketing costs of health care. According to a new AARP survey, Washington employers are reeling under the pressure of rising health care costs. Most businesses plan on shifting more of the cost to their employees, while others have reduced or eliminated health care and other benefits.

The survey, “Condition Critical – A survey of Washington businesses about the future of employee health care benefits,” explored the experiences and perceptions of more than 400 large, medium and small sized businesses in the state. “The findings paint a troubling picture for businesses and workers alike,” said AARP State Director Doug Shadel. “Our state’s employers have their backs against the wall. Most will either have to ask their employees to pay more, or be forced to drop benefits altogether.”

According to the report, Washington businesses have experienced cost increases of about thirty-two percent over the past three years. The outlook was particularly troubling for small businesses, where costs nearly doubled, increasing by ninety-one percent in just three years. The majority of businesses surveyed said that if cost trends continue, most will have to shift more of the burden to their employees, including the amount they pay for premiums (Likely: 65%), deductibles (Likely: 65%) and co-pays (Likely: 66%).

Dean Hartman, NFIB member and owner of Capital Business Machines in Olympia, provides full health insurance benefits to his 35 employees, but it’s getting tougher every year. “I’ve seen our premiums double and we’ve had to drop dental coverage,” said Hartman. “We take a very active role in our employees’ healthcare choices, sitting down with them every year to encourage preventative measures, but rates keep going up. At this rate, before too long we may be forced to ask employees to contribute financially to their coverage.”

Faced with steadily rising costs, Washington businesses have been cutting corners wherever possible in order to maintain coverage. More than half of those surveyed (58%) said that the cost of employee health coverage has reduced profits, and thirty-nine percent say they’ve had to pass on increased costs to consumers in the way of higher prices. More than a quarter (28%) have reduced other employee benefits to make room for higher health care costs, and twenty-seven percent say they have reduced or eliminated pay raises and bonuses for their employees.

Steve Dilley, NFIB member and owner of Harms Pacific Transport, Inc. in Pasco, offers healthcare benefits to his 34 employees, but that could change after being hit with a 30 percent increase in his premiums this year. “I was shocked when my broker told me the bad news,” said Dilley. “We want to provide these benefits to our employees because it’s important and it helps us stay competitive in this job market, but this is too much. An increase like this is forcing us to consider whether or not we can continue to provide health insurance to our employees.”

Unfortunately for many businesses, that time has already come. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over the past 8 years, the number of U.S. companies offering employee health insurance has declined from 69 percent to 60 percent. Among the Washington businesses who do not currently offer coverage, one-third (34%) had provided benefits at some point in the past. In fact, nearly half (48%) offered a plan up until just three years ago. Cost was the number one factor most companies (69%) point to as the reason they cannot offer coverage. Fifty-three percent say revenues are too uncertain, and half (51%) say that their employees can’t afford the cost sharing needed to provide benefits

Tom Weber, owner of Weber Construction in North Bend, WA, has been in the road construction business for thirty years, and has always provided coverage for his employees. But with his health care costs now topping more than $50,000 a year for his thirty employees, he’s had to make some tough decisions. “I’d love to pay my guys $10 more an hour,” said Weber. “But I’m already paying so much for their health insurance that it just isn’t possible.” Weber says that providing coverage used to be an easy choice, but now it’s a struggle. “I’ve always felt that providing health insurance for my employees was the right thing to do. It didn’t used to be a big deal, but with costs the way they are I’ve had to cut back – we used to provide dental coverage as well, but not anymore,” he said.

AARP released the survey as part of “Divided We Fail,” a nationwide campaign effort by AARP, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Business Roundtable (BRT). The organizations intend to raise the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health care and financial security are the two most pressing domestic issues facing the nation. “We’re going to take these voices and opinions to Olympia, to the halls of Congress, to corporate board rooms, and to the Oval Office,” said Shadel. “They need to become part of our national discussion on the future of America.”

“Small business owners, their employees and dependents make up the largest segment of the uninsured population and we simply can’t say that health care is our top priority and be content with the stalemate over reform,” said NFIB State Director Troy Nichols.

For a complete copy of the survey, visit http://www.aarp.org/research/work/benefits/wa_benefits_07.html.

For more on “Divided We Fail,” visit www.dividedwefail.org.

Added: June 23, 2008
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Olympia Resident Wins National AARP Foundation Womens Scholarship

Linda Rae Alvarado Receives One of 74 Scholarships Awarded to Moderate and Lower Income Women

Olympia, WA – The AARP Foundation has announced Linda Rae Alvarado of Olympia as one of the winners of the first annual Women’s Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides funds to women 40+ who are seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families.

“AARP is delighted to offer Linda and other hard-working women across the United States funds to help them obtain the training and resources they need to be competitive in the workplace,” said Jason Erskine, spokesperson with the AARP Washington state office “AARP’s founder, educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, would be pleased that 50 years after she started this organization, we are still dedicated to carrying out her lifelong-mission of creating new opportunities for individuals like Linda so that they will be more financially secure in the second half of life.”

Research shows that women are disproportionately at risk of having insufficient resources in the second half of their lives due to lower earnings and different work patterns. The AARP Foundation announced the Women’s Scholarship Program in August of 2007 to help women 40+ overcome financial and employment barriers by allowing them to participate in education and training opportunities they could otherwise not afford.

Fifty-nine year old Alvarado has been raising her four grandchildren, ages 11, 14, 16 and 17, for more than six years. She received a Masters in Business from St. Martin’s University in 1995, but has been unable to take advantage of the degree - instead working part-time at minimum wage jobs that allowed her the flexibility and time she needed to take care of her grandchildren.

Now that the children are older and stable, Alvarado has been having trouble finding a new job for which she is qualified. “Every position I’ve applied for has required current computer and accounting skills - and mine are simply out of date,” said Alvarado. Alvarado plans on using the scholarship funds to take a number of software courses this summer at South Puget Sound Community College.

“I plan on working for quite a few more years, and hope to be able to help my grandkids through college. The updated skills will help me be even more employable,” she said. “Now my grand kids and I will have even more in common – homework!”

The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program was available to eligible individuals with moderate to lower incomes and limited financial resources. To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants were required to be:

A female age 40 or over (as of October 31, 2007);
Able to demonstrate financial need;
Enrolled in an accredited post-secondary school or training program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.

This year’s recipients include grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, Katrina survivors, military veterans, and women from other inspirational backgrounds. Of the winners, 40% are in their 40’s; 50% are in their 50’s and 10% are in their 60’s. Additionally, 66% are from diverse backgrounds.

Applicants submitted their application online. Winners were chosen by an independent selection committee established by the AARP Foundation on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives and their families and communities. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. The scholarship program is made possible, in part, by generous donation from Bank of America. Ongoing financial support for the scholarship program is received from the AARP Foundation Women’s Leadership Circle, a network of volunteer leaders who support the AARP Foundation in achieving its mission

Added: June 11, 2008
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Help Fix the System

Join AARP for a series of health care town hall meetings this summer

This summer, AARP and the Healthy Washington Coalition are organizing a statewide series of “Health Care Caucus” town hall meetings on the future of healthcare in the state. At each meeting, the public will have a chance to discuss the problems we face around healthcare access, cost and quality and how we can achieve reform.

The Healthy Washington Coalition is the broadest coalition ever to come together in Washington to fight for quality, affordable health care for all Washingtonians. In the last legislative session, the Coalition worked with lawmakers to put a process in motion to analyze concrete options for reforming our health care system, and to set the stage for guaranteeing everyone the quality health care we deserve. At each Health Care Caucus town hall, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the process, voice your opinions, and share your story about why we must reform how we finance and deliver health care in Washington.

All events are 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Seattle - June 19

University Christian Church

4731 15th Avenue NE, Seattle

Tacoma - July 1

Temple Beth El

5975 S. 12th St., Tacoma

Yakima - July 15

Holy Family Catholic Church

5315 Tieton Dr., Yakima, (In school next door to church)

Spokane - July 29

First Presbyterian Church

318 S. Cedar St., Spokane

Bellevue - August 12

Temple Bnai Torah

15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue

Everett - September 9

Everett Station, Weyerhauser Room

3201 Smith Avenue, Everett

Vancouver - September 23

Clark PUD Community Room

1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver

For more information, visit www.healthywacoalition.org. To RSVP for an event call 1-877-926-8300, or send an email with your name, address and phone number, including the location of the event you plan to attend, to aarpwa@aarp.org.

Added: June 9, 2008
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Representative Doc Hastings Rallies Behind Divided We Fail

Hastings joins ten other Washington State Members of Congress and candidates for office in growing support for campaign.

Our country is reaching a tipping point. Health care costs are skyrocketing, savings rates are plummeting, and people are wondering if they’ll ever be able to retire. On average, just one in three Americans believes that the next generation will have a better quality of life than we have today.

We can’t let this happen. To build momentum for change, AARP has joined forces with the Business Round Table (BRT), the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to launch “Divided We Fail,” an unprecedented nationwide public outreach campaign.

If we can find a way to work together so should the politicians. Together we are raising the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health and lifetime financial security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. We are asking elected leaders to sign the “Divided We Fail” pledge, committing to work in a bipartisan way to provide Americans with actions and answers on health and long-term financial security.

Here in Washington, we are mobilizing AARP’s nearly 1 million members and asking our state’s elected leaders to support the campaign. So far, our Governor and the following Members of Congress and candidates for office have signed the pledge or written a letter of approval supporting the Divided We Fail platform.

· Governor Chris Gregoire

· Senator Maria Cantwell

· Senator Patty Murray

· Representative Brian Baird

· Representative Doc Hastings

· Representative Jay Inslee

· Representative Dave Reichert

· Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers

· Representative Adam Smith

Candidates for Office who have signed pledge

· Darcy Burner (House candidate for 8th congressional district)

· Rick Bart (Senate candidate for 2nd state legislative district)

Click “My Photos” link above to view pictures of the signings. You can also visit www.dividedwefail.org to view the Divided We Fail platform, a nationwide list of the Members of Congress who have signed the pledge, and to send thank-you emails to your lawmakers.

AARP Washington urges you to get involved. Packed houses attended recent “Divided We Fail” events in Spokane and Bellevue. More than 200 people are registered to attend an upcoming event in Kennewick on June 4, and a second event is planned for Vancouver on July 9. Seats are still available. For more information, and to register for an event, visit http://www.aarp.org/states/wa/articles/stand_up_for_your_health.html or call 1-877-926-8300.

Added: June 2, 2008
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AARP's "Hoopla" Night with the Seattle Storm

AARP and the Seattle Storm women’s basketball team invite you to celebrate AARP’s 50^th Anniversary at “Hoopla 2008” on Monday, June 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Key Arena.

Join us as we highlight our members’ dedication to community service and volunteerism. The evening will feature special on-court contests, entertainment by the Central Area Senior Center Sliders, and other prize opportunities.

AARP members are entitled to discounted tickets at $12. You can order tickets by calling (206) 272-2526.

The first 50 members to show their AARP membership card will receive a free T-shirt. There is no ticket limit, so invite your friends and family.

What: AARP’s 50^th Anniversary Event “Hoopla 2008”

Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun

When: Monday, June 16

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. The game starts at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Key Arena

309 Harrison Street,Seattle, WA 98109

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, June 16 at Key Arena!

Added: May 23, 2008
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Senator Patty Murray signs on in support of Divided We Fail

277 Members of Congress have either signed the Divided We Fail congressional pledge or written a letter of approval supporting the Divided We Fail platform

Our country is reaching a tipping point. Health care costs are skyrocketing, savings rates are plummeting, and people are wondering if they’ll ever be able to retire. On average, just one in three Americans believes that the next generation will have a better quality of life than we have today.

We can’t let this happen. To build momentum for change, AARP has joined forces with the Business Round Table (BRT), the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to launch “Divided We Fail,” an unprecedented nationwide public outreach campaign.

If we can find a way to work together so should the politicians. Together we are raising the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health and lifetime financial security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. We are asking elected leaders to sign the “Divided We Fail” pledge, committing to work in a bipartisan way to provide Americans with actions and answers on health and long-term financial security.

Here in Washington, we are mobilizing AARP’s nearly 1 million members and asking our state’s elected leaders to support the campaign. So far, our Governor and the following Members of Congress have signed the pledge or written a letter of approval supporting the Divided We Fail platform.

- G Governor Chris Gregoire

- S Senator Maria Cantwell

- S Senator Patty Murray

Representative Brian Baird

- Representative Jay Inslee

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Representative Dave Reichert

- Representative Adam Smith

Click My Photos above to view pictures of the signings. You can also visit www.dividedwefail.org to view the Divided We Fail platform, view a nationwide list of the members of Congress who have signed the pledge, and to send thank-you emails to your lawmakers.

AARP Washington urges you to get involved. More than 200 Spokane residents joined us on Wednesday, May 7 to add their voices to the ‘Divided We Fail” effort. Additional events are planned for May 21 in Bellevue, June 4 in Kennewick and July 9 in Vancouver. For more information, and to register for an event, visit http://www.aarp.org/states/wa/articles/stand_up_for_your_health.html or call 1-877-926-8300.

Added: May 12, 2008
Views: 235 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Help Fix the System

Join AARP for a series of health care town hall meetings this summer

This summer, AARP and the Healthy Washington Coalition are organizing a statewide series of “Health Care Caucus” town hall meetings on the future of healthcare in the state. At each meeting, the public will have a chance to discuss the problems we face around healthcare access, cost and quality and how we can achieve reform. The meetings are scheduled for Seattle, June 19; Tacoma, July 1; Yakima, July 15; Spokane, July 29; Bellevue, August 12; Everett, September 9; and Vancouver, Sept. 23.

The Healthy Washington Coalition is the broadest coalition ever to come together in Washington to fight for quality, affordable health care for all Washingtonians. In the last legislative session, the Coalition worked with lawmakers to put a process in motion to analyze concrete options for reforming our health care system, and to set the stage for guaranteeing everyone the quality health care we deserve. At each Health Care Caucus town hall, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the process, voice your opinions, and share your story about why we must reform how we finance and deliver health care in Washington.

For more information, visit www.healthywacoalition.org. To RSVP for an event call 1-877-926-8300, or send an email with your name, address and phone number, including the location of the event you plan to attend, to aarpwa@aarp.org.

Added: May 5, 2008
Views: 257 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Rep. Dave Reichert Signs Divided We Fail Pledge

Campaign gaining momentum in Washington state with more than half of our state’s congressional delegation on board.

Our country is reaching a tipping point. Health care costs are skyrocketing, savings rates are plummeting, and people are wondering if they’ll ever be able to retire. On average, just one in three Americans believes that the next generation will have a better quality of life than we have today.

We can’t let this happen. To build momentum for change, AARP has joined forces with the Business Round Table, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Service Employees International Union to launch “Divided We Fail,” an unprecedented nationwide public outreach campaign.

If we can find a way to work together so should the politicians. Together we are raising the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health and lifetime financial security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. We are asking elected leaders to sign the “Divided We Fail” pledge, committing politicians to work in a bipartisan way to provide Americans with actions and answers on health and long-term financial security.

Here in Washington, we are mobilizing AARP’s nearly 1 million members and asking our state’s elected leaders to sign the “Divided We Fail” pledge. So far, our Governor and the following Members of Congress have signed the pledge or written a letter of approval supporting the Divided We Fail platform.

· Governor Chris Gregoire

· Senator Maria Cantwell

· Representative Brian Baird

· Representative Jay Inslee

· Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers

· Representative Dave Reichert

· Representative Adam Smith

Click My Photos above to view pictures of the signings. You can also visit www.dividedwefail.org to view the Divided We Fail platform, view a nationwide list of the members of Congress who have signed the pledge, and to send thank-you emails to your lawmakers.

AARP Washington urges you to get involved. Join us for a series of free local events in Spokane, Bellevue, Kennewick and Vancouver. Find out more at http://www.aarp.org/states/wa/articles/stand_up_for_your_health.html.

Added: April 29, 2008
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AARP Thanks Washington Representatives for Medicaid Bill Vote

AARP Washington, 9750 3^rd Ave. NE, Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98115 - 206-517-9345, 206-517-9350, Fax, www.aarp.org/wa Contact: Jason Erskine / 206-517-9345

AARP Thanks Washington’s

Representatives for Supporting

Bill to Protect People In Medicaid

Association urges Senators Cantwell and Murray to quickly pass companion bill and send measure to President

Washington -AARP thanked the supporters and cosponsors of the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, which passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill prevents massive increases in costs for people in Medicaid by stopping harmful cuts proposed by the administration.

“Today’s vote is a victory for all Washingtonians who rely on Medicaid as the safety net of our health care system,” said AARP State Director Doug Shadel. “With 47 million Americans already uninsured, our country and our state cannot afford to make it any harder for our most vulnerable to pay for their health care.”

AARP thanks the members of the Washington delegation who cosponsored the bill or provided critical support in gaining passage of this legislation first in the Energy & Commerce committee and today in the full House:

· Representative Jay Inslee (WA-1)

· Representative Rick Larsen (WA-2)

· Representative Norm Dicks (WA-6)

· Representative Jim McDermott (WA-7)

According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the estimated impact of the proposed cuts would be more than $588 million for the state. While AARP supports smart policies to stop fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid, the cuts proposed by the administration threaten the integrity of the program and shift unreasonable costs to the people in Medicaid and the states.

“We’re proud that our U.S. Representatives recognized the harm the administration’s proposals would have done to people in Washington’sMedicaid program, and we thank them for acting swiftly and with such wide, bipartisan support to stop these cuts,” said Shadel. “We now urge Senators Cantwell and Murray to vote to protect Medicaid as the Senate considers this measure.”

Added: April 25, 2008
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Special Offer from AARP and the Seattle Storm!