17 sets up a health security premium to pay for part of the health security trust. Premiums are adjusted by the state consumer price index. The board will make rules to subsidize premiums for some other low-income residents. Residents covered by certain federal programs and trusts are exempt until those programs and trusts join the health security trust. Premiums of employees and spouses are collected through payroll deduction.
Employers can provide other health care coverage or pay health security premiums for employees.
Public employers pay health security premiums for their employees and spouses. 18 prevents state government from cutting its contributions to Medicaid and other state-funded health programs. 19 abolishes the health care authority and transfers all of its functions, assets, and duties to the Washington health security trust. Existing contracts, obligations, and collective bargaining agreements continue in effect. 21 lists 8 federal programs the initiative wants to bring into the health security trust.