Access to effective health care at reasonable cost has become an issue of major concern to the health professions, social agencies and to all of the citizens of this state. With the continuing impressive improvements in medical science and technology and the rapid rise in health care costs the financial impact of catastrophic health care expenses upon many persons can become overwhelming. The consequences of insurmountable health care costs can be devastating to the financial well-being of family units, can lead to inadequate health care for those in need of care and can require the response of public agencies to provide support to families whose financial resources are exhausted because of such costs.

The role of state government in responding to Catastrophic health care costs of the citizens of this state has not been adequately defined nor has the factual information needed to develop an appropriate state role been identified.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Daniel J. Evans, Governor of the State of Washington, by virtue of authority vested in me as provided by law do hereby establish a special Task Force on Catastrophic Health Care Costs for the following purposes:

1. To develop information which will enable state agencies to forecast the effects of catastrophic health care costs upon families and individuals;

2. To identify possible roles which the State of Washington could take to assist individuals and families in meeting catastrophic health care costs; and

3. To recommend such action as may be required to accomplish effective coordination among all elements of the health care system in meeting catastrophic health care costs.

The Task Force shall be comprised half of members of the Comprehensive Health Planning Advisory Council and half of citizens with particular expertise or interest in the subject of the study. Staff for the Task Force shall be provided by the Planning and Community Affairs Agency. All state agencies are requested to cooperate in the conduct of this study.

The Task Force shall complete its study and present its report to the Governor by October 15, 1973