Washington pioneers public healthcare option, but controlling costs remains tricky

Washington, DC, may be gridlocked over what to do about health care, but Washington state is blazing a trail for progressives looking to lower costs and expand coverage. The Evergreen State is the first to authorize the creation of a state-run public health insurance option on its Affordable Care Act exchange. Gov. Jay Inslee, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, signed legislation on Monday that will make the option available in 2021.