Dear Governor-elect:

The Alaska Health Care Roundtable proposes a draft “Framework for Change” for your administration to use in shaping its overall health care policy. 

The Framework for Change is a logical sequence of actions to improve a system that remains expensive, fragmented, inefficient and uncoordinated. Coordination is needed to improved quality, access and control costs:

COORDINATION: The action or result of placing things in due order or relation to each other; the harmonious functioning together of different interrelated parts.

We look forward to working with you. Together, we can and must develop a coordinated Alaska health care system that builds on our human, technological and private enterprise strengths.  If this draft Framework for Change stimulates needed pro-active change, it will have done its job.

The Framework on pp. 5 & 6 is based on the following priorities:

ROUNDTABLE PRIORITIES:  $ = P+A+I+R

o     $avings =

o     Prevention +

o     Access +

o     Information +

o   Responsibility

BENEFITS OF THE “FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE”

·      It starts with the here and now in Alaska. The proposed sequence prioritizes immediate steps that will allow for further progress. Once initial elements have been accomplished, an ongoing maintenance phase will follow.

·      If this Framework succeeds in Alaska, it could provide a template that could be used in other states.

·      The Framework is oriented towards necessary “nuts and bolts.” It is goal-oriented and politically neutral.

·      The sequence and focus of the Framework will drive multiple subsystem improvements.

·      Most elements referenced in the Framework are already under way.

·      Since the Framework is a road map to coordinate activities, it does raise a fundamental question—

·      Who will coordinate decisions? A significant exploration of alternatives includes:

o     Private leadership and coordination

o     Administrative Branch leadership and coordination

o     Legislative leadership and coordination

o     A mix of Private/Administrative/Legislative leadership and coordination

 

Why do we need health care change in Alaska?

WE HAVE REAL AND IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS:

·      Health care costs are rising at unsustainable double digit rates

·      Alaska spends $5.3 billion per year, or $8,000 per person, on health care, compared to $6,000 for the rest of the U.S.

·      85,000 Alaskans have no health care coverage—if living together, they would be the second largest city in Alaska.

·      Many more are under-insured.

·      Alaska medical and surgical procedures are 18% higher than Outside; dental procedures are 38% higher

·      Alaska is short 300 doctors today, with more needed to replace an aging work force in the future. Similar shortages exist for nurses and other health practitioners.

·      Diabetes and obesity are becoming epidemic

·      Potential gas pipeline construction will greatly strain the health care system

·      We need more meaningful data to evaluate cost and quality of Alaska health care