The Washington state legislature established a pilot program in 1987 to provide health care insurance to low-income working families who didn’t qualify for Medicaid. In 1993, the Basic Health Program was expanded statewide and it grew a bit further in 1995. In 1997, the Republican legislature pushed to freeze the program at 1995 levels and to increase premiums and copayments.

Democratic governor Gary Locke protested the move and joined other protesters at a rally at the state capitol. From the Capitol steps, he urged the crowd to pressure their legislators to support expanding the program. Here, supporters of Governor Locke (left), including Dr. Marjorie Wilson of Lacey, WA (center), applaud his speech.

Caption information source: “Locke protests health-plan freeze”, by Tom Paulson, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 23, 1997, pages B1, B3.