The Public Option Institute documents and analyzes implementation of public option programs and recommends best practices for state and federal officials. In 2020, we are focused on Washington State and Colorado, which are pursuing the nation's first public option programs.

WHAT IS A PUBLIC OPTION?

While there are many definitions, the common denominator of public option programs is government leverage of its authority to reduce health care prices. Most initiatives include additional goals, such as expanding access to coverage and care, improving quality and transparency, and prioritizing the public interest. While these programs could include governments directly administering health insurance plans on their own, both forerunner states intend to rely on private insurance carriers to do so.

ABOUT US

The Public Option Institute is an initiative of the Wynne Health Group, a mission-driven health policy consulting firm.

Gray Background.png — SNAPSHOT OF STATE PLAN DESIGNS

This one-page side-by-side tells you the key decisions Washington and Colorado have made to date regarding their programs. We plan to update it frequently as their status evolves.

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Summary of Washington’s Draft Procurement Standards for a Public Option Plan

Senate Bill 5526 (see our legislative summary here) passed the Washington State Legislature in May 2019, authorizing the Washington Health Care Authority (the Authority), which administers Medicaid and other programs in the state, to procure public option plans in partnership with the Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) and the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).

Summary of Colorado’s Final Report Detailing a Public Option Plan

Despite federal government subsidies instituted under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health care is still unaffordable for many people across the country. Colorado is taking a novel approach to address this problem.

Summary of Washington State’s Public Option Law

In May 2019, Washington state became the first in the nation to enact a “public option” law (Senate Bill 5526) to offer Washingtonians more affordable, high-value coverage options in the state’s individual health insurance market by 2021.