How the Government Skyrocketed Your Hospital Bill | June 24, 2025 cover art

How the Government Skyrocketed Your Hospital Bill | June 24, 2025

How the Government Skyrocketed Your Hospital Bill | June 24, 2025

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 Washington Policy On The Go is WPC's bi-weekly (weekly during the legislative session) virtual lunchtime event series featuring center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy research and analysis. This episode features WPC Center for Health Care and Center for Worker Rights Director Elizabeth New outlining how Washington state has made driving up your medical costs its business.

00:00 - Introduction & Guest Overview
02:00 - More People Should Pay Directly for Health Care
04:00 - How Health Care Payment Models Changed Over Time
05:30 - Third-Party Payment Distorts Prices
07:00 - The Myth of Free Market Health Care in the U.S.
08:45 - Successful Market-Based Models Like Oklahoma Surgery Center
10:05 - Cost Shifting from Medicaid to Private Payers
12:00 - Legislative Examples of Health Care Cost Shifting
14:30 - Medicaid Expansion and Eligibility Abuse
16:45 - Hidden Costs and Double Payments in Medicaid
18:45 - Assessing the 2024 Legislative Session’s Health Policy
20:15 - New Universal Health Care Push in Washington State
22:30 - Doctor Shortages and Wait Times Under Government Health Care
27:00 - Janus Decision Anniversary & Public Union Rights
34:45 - Looming Federal Reforms and WA’s Reliance on Provider Taxes
36:15 - Government Opt-Out Restrictions & Lack of Janus Awareness
38:10 - Dues Withholding & Lack of Transparency for Public Workers
42:30 - Public Unions Still Politicizing Member Money
44:00 - What Washington Workers Can Do to Reclaim Rights

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