Rossi camp says Gregoire confused, dishonest on health care

Dino Rossi's campaign went after Gov. Gregoire today for her continued statements that Rossi is trying to "deregulate" the state's health care system, and often tired to tie his policy to that of the failed Wall Street practices that resulted in the recent federal bailout bill.

"Just like when Gregoire lied about stem cells and minimum wage, she is now lying about Dino wanting to ‘deregulate' the insurance industry," said Jill Strait, Rossi spokesman. "She knows that if this election is about the economy or her $3.2 billion deficit, then she loses. It's funny that she's so willing to change the subject that she's even coming out against the recommendations from her own Blue Ribbon Commission. The truth is that the incumbent Governor has no comprehensive plan to help reduce health care costs for all people in our state."

Gregoire has repeatedly called for him to state which specific mandates he would seek to cut. Rossi has not answered her question, and instead points to his plan's ability to allow people to choose which types of mandated plans they would want. Gregoire has suggested that would lead to an erosion of quality and access.

In a press release issued today the Rossi campaign once again said that the state's insurance industry is subject to regulation from the state insurance commissioner, and that Rossi would do nothing to change that. As a result the campaign suggests Rossi's plan to offer a system in which people are able to choose from a number of different insurance plans, many of which would not require the same coverage mandates the state currently calls for, cannot be called deregulation.

They cite a recommendation from the governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access that Gregoire co-chaired in 2007. It recommends that the state offer more choices in order to improve access to health care. Recommendation #8 in the report says to "allow health carriers to offer a health plan to individuals and small businesses not subject to any provider or benefit mandates."

A similar law to the one Rossi proposes was passed in Florida earlier this year.