An overwhelming desire for health insurance, as deadline looms

January 9, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

More people than ever are buying health insurance through Washington’s health insurance exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. And with the surge in interest, King County’s network of health insurance navigators is offering extra hours to help people find the right plan for their needs (see below). In Washington state, because we operate our own Affordable Care Act […]

Preserving health insurance for children – and celebrating progress

November 1, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

With insurance coverage now above 98 percent for children in King County, nearly all children have health insurance – and full access to our health care system. This means these kids and youth can get their immunizations and catch health problems early, such as asthma, autism or cancer. Coupled with King County’s new Best Starts […]

ACA health insurance for 2018: Yes, and here’s why it’s worth checking for low-cost options

October 18, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Health insurance Navigators Carmen Olvera and Jennifer Covert bring laptops and answer questions at enrollment events across King County

Despite the news about challenges to the Affordable Care Act, the law is still in place – and low-cost insurance options will still be available for 2018. Having health insurance is a key part of having access to the benefits of our health care system, from preventive care like immunizations, to challenges like a muscle […]

Public Health encourages immigrant clients to access services without fear

July 20, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

(información en español) All people should feel safe when they get health services. Unfortunately, recent federal immigration proposals have made people in immigrant communities feel more fear and stress. Some families feel they must choose between two risks. Should they avoid a clinic and possibly risk their health? Or should they risk an encounter with […]

Nurses Week focus on good health for nurses promotes resilience

May 9, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

Burnout is a problem in many professions – and particularly in nursing. For National Nurses Week this year, the focus is on promoting good health for nurses themselves. Within Public Health – Seattle & King County, this fits squarely with many efforts to help people overcome the impacts of burnout and “secondary trauma” (which comes […]

One map shows huge impact of ACA locally

May 4, 2017.Reading time 1 minute.

The number of uninsured residents of King County has fallen by more than 50% since embracing the ACA, benefitting every neighborhood of the county

Our epidemiologists at Public Health–Seattle & King County (PHSKC) have been keeping track of insurance enrollment for years. And, for a long time, the picture was getting worse year by year, with increasing numbers of people uninsured. That all changed after 2013, when new insurance options became available under the Affordable Care Act. King County embraced the […]