Health care glossary

Originally published Feb. 18, 2001

Medicaid: A joint federal and state program that provides medical assistance to people with low incomes and limited assets. It is available to people who qualify for welfare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because of disabilities, and is distributed through programs such as Healthy Options and the Basic Health Plan, among others. In 1999, 955,660 Washington residents received some kind of assistance through these programs.

Medicare: Federal health insurance for people age 65 and older, essentially the health insurance component of Social Security.

Healthy Options: A Washington state Medicaid program, providing managed care insurance for low-income families and children. It primarily serves welfare recipients with children. At the end of January, 418,253 state residents and 14,405 Thurston County residents were enrolled in the program.

Basic Health Plan: A state-sponsored health insurance program for low-income state residents, partially paid through Medicaid. The state subsidizes individuals' insurance costs on a sliding scale depending on income and other factors. At the end of January, 133,360 state residents and 5,781 residents of Thurston and Mason counties received subsidized health insurance through this plan.

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Olympian pulse poll

- Have you or a family member lost or are about to lose a physician due to the South Sound health care crisis?

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