WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

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Washingtonians rushing to enroll in Medicaid

Washington state already made news for having one the America’s best health care exchanges.

Now we’re getting press for massive numbers of citizens enrolling in health care via Medicaid, which also happens through the state’s Health Plan Finder.

According to this story, Washington already beat it’s April goal by the end of January, with more than 172,000 individuals signing up for Medicaid coverage.

Here’s part of what the Spokesman-Review had to say about the health care trend:

With two months to go, Washington residents are pouring by the thousands through the online gateway to 2014 health insurance coverage, blowing away expectations for Medicaid enrollments, the expanded government program for the working poor and their children.

In Spokane County, one in four residents relies on Medicaid coverage.

Nathan Johnson, director of policy planning and performance for the state Health Care Authority, said the statewide sign-ups mean “there’s a tremendous amount of demand, and maybe more than we realized, for affordable coverage from those who are at or near the poverty level.”