Employment Status of Medical Assistance Clients and Persons with Dependents with DSHS Medical Coverage

Nationally, an increasing number of employers faced with rising employee health care premium costs either have chosen to drop health care benefits for their employees or to pass on to their employees a greater share of coverage costs. As a consequence, more employees and their dependents either go without health insurance, apply for state purchased health care programs supported with public funds, or seek uncompensated care at hospitals and community clinics. In response to these trends, the 2006 State Legislature enacted Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 3079. This legislation directed the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) in coordination with the Employment Security Department (ESD) to report annually on the employment status of Medical Assistance clients and Basic Health Program (BHP) enrollees. This report provides both aggregate and employer-specific data related to DSHS Medical Assistance clients and non-client parents with dependents with DSHS medical coverage, as specified in the legislation (enacted as Chapter 264, Laws of 2006 and codified in RCW 70.47.170).