Number of Uninsured People in Washington State Cut in Half

SEATTLE (AP) — The number of uninsured people in Washington state has been cut in half since health care reform took effect. But the state insurance commissioner's office reported Wednesday there are still about 500,000 uninsured people in the state.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler says Washington has clearly made significant progress, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the state's decision to expand access to free insurance through Medicaid.

Kreidler notes that some of the 20 states that have not expanded access to the Medicaid program are now trying to do so. The federal government is paying for the program that has helped states like Washington dramatically cuts the ranks of the uninsured.

Kreidler notes that in states that did not expand Medicaid, the working poor who aren't insured at work have to choose between paying a federal fine or buying insurance they can't really afford.