How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
In Washington state, you can track your ballot with a few quick clicks. Go to the VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov and sign in with your first and last name and date of birth, and you can see the status of that electoral baby of yours. You can also text “VOTE” to 868392 to get text updates on your ballot’s status. If you haven’t voted yet, here’s what you should know: Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, or put in a drop box or returned in person to your county elections office by 8 p.m. that day. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free
The Biden administration is proposing a rule that would expand access to contraceptive products, including making over-the-counter birth control and condoms free for the first time for women of reproductive age who have private health insurance. Under the proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor Department, and Treasury Department, which was announced by the administration on Monday, health insurance companies would be required to cover all recommended over-the-counter contraception products, such as condoms, spermicide and emergency contraception, without a prescription and at no cost, according to senior administration officials. Continue reading at KUOW. (Getty Images)
Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses by about 12%
Health insurance costs in Washington for small businesses and their employees will increase an average of 11.9% in 2025, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This marks the highest increase for small employers in the last decade. Nearly 220,000 people will be affected by the new rates starting in January. Ten insurers were approved to sell group plans to small employers, with the largest increase going to Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon at 21.9%, impacting around 6,000 people. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)
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How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
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