Washington Long-Term Care Tax Opt-Out Explained

June 3rd, 2026· 1:02

When Washington launched the WA Cares long-term care payroll tax, thousands of workers rushed to secure private long-term care insurance in order to qualify for an exemption from the state program. The demand became so intense that many insurers stopped accepting new applications altogether, leaving some workers unable to obtain private coverage before the deadline. The episode raised questions about the value of the state-run program, the adequacy of its benefits, and why so many workers sought alternatives in the private market. In this report, we break down the WA Cares opt-out process, the insurance market reaction, and what it reveals about the ongoing debate over Washington's long-term care tax. #WACares #WashingtonState #Taxes #PayrollTax #LongTermCare #Taxpayer #PersonalFinance #WashingtonPolitics #Insurance #GovernmentSpending #Finance #EconomicPolicy #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #Money