1. Themes for 2006

Goals:

* Healthier Alaskans

Health care is not an end in itself-the real goal is healthy Alaskans.

* Make health care more affordable in Alaska

Recent cost increases are unsustainable for individuals, employers, governments and society. Prevention is the long-range answer, supplemented
by logical shorter-term steps that do not undermine prevention.

Action areas:

* Focus on Alaskan improvements

Alaskans have little control over national health care structures and policies. However, there are many actionable opportunities right here in Alaska. Massachusetts has shown what may be possible politically.

* Support individual responsibility

Prevention will have maximum health and economic benefits only if individuals have the tools and knowledge to accept responsibility for their own health.

* Transform the system

Business as usual is unacceptable. A combination of best clinical and administrative practices along with judicious investments that improve how the system operates is imperative.

2. Immediate priorities

A. Develop a comprehensive list of all health care initiatives in Alaska to avoid overlaps and fill gaps

B. Expand the United Benefit Advisors survey of Alaska employers to create better corporate health care comparison information

C. Premera/University of Alaska health risk management plan summit for businesses to learn how to help employees become healthier and save money

D. Citizen's and Stakeholder's Forum

UAA, Alaska 20/20, the League of Women Voters, Alaska Common Ground, Commonwealth North and others are exploring creating a Forum process to engage citizens and public officials to improve access, quality and cost of health care in Alaska.

E. ISER Convocation on best state public policy practices around the U.S.

The Roundtable is working with ISER on a convocation to bring up national experts on health care systems to inform Alaska businesses and stakeholders
on best practices around the country.

F. Expand University medical classes

Alaska already has a shortage of trained health care professionals. With an ageing workforce the problem will only get worse. Expanding the supply of professionals is a mathematical and functional necessity.

G. Electronic health records

General agreement that this is a transforming lynchpin to an improved system. Support research infrastructure to ensure maximum compatibility with evolving national systems.

H. Other topics discussed

* Efforts to minimize junk food in schools and encourage exercise.

* "211" centralized one-point-of-contact for social and medical service needs.

* Centralized one-point-of-contact at the state level to coordinate federal and other grant applications.

* Health care workforce development and recruiting in Alaska is desperately needed.

* Weight management programs (e.g. employer's Weight Watcher)

* Municipality of Anchorage non-smoking workplace ordinances.