Will part-timers be dropped from state health plans?

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The move has gotten national publicity: The state of Washington could skirt the intent of the Affordable Care Act, in order to save money. Some state senators are advocating dropping part-time state workers from the health insurance rolls and making them buy their coverage instead from the new Washington Health Benefits Exchange, an insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses.

Ann Joiner, an adjunct professor who teaches writing at Central Washington University and South Seattle Community College, is among the part-timers who don’t like that idea. She believes h...