It gets worse Bay. Take a look at this copied article from the Kitsap Sun, (I copied it into word since the site is subscription only), once these enrollment numbers start taking off the only stopping Obamacare will be the bankruptcy of this state and the nation!
Read and weep:
Early numbers dwarf local estimates for health insurance signups
More locals on state exchange than forecast
• By Tad Sooter
• Posted April 27, 2014 at 5:52 p.m.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2014/apr/27/early-numbers-dwarf-local-estimates-for-02/#axzz303DzyYU7
BREMERTON — It’s still unknown how many uninsured Kitsap residents secured health coverage during the first round of enrollment for the state insurance exchange.
At least one piece of anecdotal evidence suggests a seismic shift toward coverage.
Last year, about 30 percent of visitors to affordable care provider Peninsula Community Health Services were uninsured. As of March, that number was down to 7 percent.
“It was a big drop,” Peninsula CEO Barbara Malich said. “That’s all good news.”
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange released enrollment numbers Wednesday from its inaugural open enrollment period, which closed March 31 (Medicaid/Apple Health enrollment continues). More than 600,000 Washingtonians signed up for coverage through the exchange. About 164,000 enrolled in qualified private plans while the bulk qualified for expanded an Medicaid program.
In Kitsap, 4,940 residents signed up for private plans, including 3,774 who qualified for tax credits. An additional 12,921 enrolled in Medicaid for the first time. In Mason County, 1,121 residents obtained private coverage and 3,668 enrolled in Medicaid for the first time.
An exchange representative said staff are still compiling information on how many of the enrollees were previously uninsured. An earlier report from the state Insurance Commissioner estimated 27,000 uninsured Kitsap residents and 8,000 Mason residents would qualify either for Medicaid or subsidized health plans through the exchange (see graphic).
Exchange enrollment in Kitsap easily dwarfed the conservative projection for the county. While eager to see more detailed statistics, Kerry Dobbelaere, manager of clinical services at Kitsap Public Health District, said the results were encouraging.
“We’re all very pleased with that number,” she said.
Dobbelaere coordinated a group of exchange “assisters” from the health district, Harrison Medical Center, Kitsap Mental Health Services and Peninsula Mental Health who helped enrollees navigate the online exchange.
The assisters will continue to work with prospective Medicaid clients and help with the open enrollment period next fall. Dobbelaere said the health district will eventually play a role in educating newly-enrolled residents,
“I think now one of our jobs is to provide people information as to what preventive care services are available to them under their plans,” she said.
Some care providers are already reporting higher demand for services as a wave of residents receive coverage.
At Peninsula Community Health, Malich said visits were higher than average early in the year. The clinic and dental office saw 21,000 visits in January, February and March, putting it on pace for 84,000 visits in 2014, compared with 77,000 in 2013. Malich said it’s too early to know if the pace will continue.
The numbers aren’t as important as the benefit to patients now covered, she added.
“It’s less about us, and more about the influence in the community,” she said. “It’s a much more stable patient payment base across the entire community.”
Harrison HealthPartners also reported high demand for services, though statistics weren’t readily available. Spokeswoman Jacquie Goodwill said the physicians group had expanded rapidly in the last year, making it hard to compare patient numbers over time.
What I don't understand is the roll over attitude of republican reps who seem too intimidated to stand up for what they know is right. For me, I'd like to see more Clint Didiers and less Kathy M. Rodgers if that's the best she can offer.