Anchorage Daily News

At Providence, the state's largest private health care provider, we believe that health care is a basic human right and that all people should have access to health care regardless of their social or economic circumstances. This week is Cover the Uninsured Week, which highlights the needs of those in our community who lack basic health insurance.

Who are the uninsured? It might surprise you.

Of the nonelderly uninsured, eight in 10 live in a family where the head of household is employed. One in five uninsured workers works for a company with more than 500 employees. Nearly 20 percent of the uninsured are children.

For the uninsured, basic health care is a luxury they often cannot afford until their health problems worsen, forcing them to seek expensive emergency care. The cost of that care is then passed along to all of us, driving up health care costs and insurance premiums, making our businesses less competitive and impacting the health of our population.

Access to quality, affordable health care for all is vital to Alaska's social and economic future. That is why we are committed to health care reform in Alaska. We have an obligation to address health care reform now, for the benefit of the uninsured, our businesses, our employees and our society.

This is not a quick or simple journey. The first critical step is to bring key stakeholders together to develop recommendations for reform. Legislation to establish a health care commission was proposed in this year's legislative session, but it failed to pass. Regardless of how the effort is convened, it is our duty as business and community leaders to begin this process now.

To be effective, this commission or working group must include health care providers such as hospitals and physicians, insurers, employers and most importantly, consumers. Health care reform is too momentous a task to not have all stakeholders represented.

Our shared reform effort must also be guided by a set of core principles. First, we must continue to improve health care quality and efficiency. As health care providers, we must ensure that our own houses are in order.

Second, we must establish health care accountability. We must be transparent about our cost and quality, giving patients information to empower them to make good health care decisions.

Third, we must improve and expand health care coverage. The percentage of employers offering health insurance is declining, and the coverage offered is increasingly inadequate. Everyone deserves access to basic health care. While consumers should have the option to purchase additional coverage, a basic plan should include preventive services that encourage good health management.

Finally, we must strengthen public programs. Government-funded health insurance programs play a larger and larger role in the health status of seniors, low-income families and children. Those programs, Medicare and Medicaid, must become more patient-centered and focused on meeting patients' needs, whatever their stage in life.

The health of our communities, the sustainability of our businesses, and the future of our state depend upon the decisions we make today to address our health care challenge. Health care reform will require shared commitment and shared sacrifice, but it is the only way to secure a healthy and sustainable future for all Alaskans.

Al Parrish is chief executive of Providence Health & Services Alaska.

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