Only in America, land of the health coverage gaps, would state legislators have to decide to provide health care for all children. But that's what Washington's Legislature has done with passage of a landmark bill that Gov. Chris Gregoire is eager to sign.

The measure says the state will ensure coverage for all children by 2010. Building on health care expansions by previous legislatures and governors, the bill would have the state add coverage for 38,000 more children in the next two years before a final push to cover all the estimated 73,000 kids without health insurance.

Gregoire has made coverage of all children a focus. There's a lot to like in the measure, SB 5093: consolidation of several programs into one, outreach so families know their options; sliding-scale coverage that will help many moderate income families caught in the nation's scandalous health care squeeze and selective increases in reimbursement rates to ensure consistent care.

After 68 House members passed the bill, Speaker Frank Chopp said, "We are now among the leaders in the nation for children's health. This is a great day for the kids of Washington state." That's true. The state can be proud. The nation should take efforts here and elsewhere as more evidence of the need for a single-payer health plan.

Soundoff (Read 34 comments)
Tell us what's on your mind.

Does the nation need a single-payer health plan to cover all Americans?
30.9% Yes	10.9% Yes, but only a fallback for those without private insurance
22.4% No	16.4% No. For most people, we have the best health care system in the world
19.4% Everybody needs health insurance, but not through a system that would become a giant bureaucracy	0.0% Other, not sure or don't care
Total Votes: 165