Health Care in Alaska, Recommendations

DATE STUDY OVERALL SUMMARY ASSUMPTIONS RECOMMENDATIONS CHAIRS

August 1994 Health Care: Finding an Alaskan Prescription Discussion of the adequacy of the current health care system. Focus on the unique issues in Alaska and discuss Alaskan's needs on the individual and state levels. 1. Alaska has a large geographical area and a small widely dispersed population. Access to health care is not only a function of cost and coverage, but of the actual existence and proximity to services.
2. Government spending accounts for over 60% of total health care spending in Alaska with 40% of Alaskans eligible for coverage through federal programs.
3. No HMOs operate in Alaska. 1. Special consideration is necessary for health care reforms in Alaska. Reforms must be responsive to the large number of small businesses and seasonal fluctuations.
2. Reform is necessary due to the likelihood of increasing health costs.
3. A comprehensive study must be undertaken on this issue to provide accurate data to facilitate reform. Dr. Milton Byrd

Commonwealth North Reports

Commonwealth North

DATE	STUDY	OVERALL SUMMARY	ASSUMPTIONS	RECOMMENDATIONS	CHAIRS
August 1994	Health Care: Finding an Alaskan Prescription	Discussion of the adequacy of the current health care system. Focus on the unique issues in Alaska and discuss Alaskan's needs on the individual and state levels.	1. Alaska has a large geographical area and a small widely dispersed population. Access to health care is not only a function of cost and coverage, but of the actual existence and proximity to services. 2. Government spending accounts for over 60% of total health care spending in Alaska with 40% of Alaskans eligible for coverage through federal programs. 3. No HMOs operate in Alaska.	1. Special consideration is necessary for health care reforms in Alaska. Reforms must be responsive to the large number of small businesses and seasonal fluctuations. 2. Reform is necessary due to the likelihood of increasing health costs. 3. A comprehensive study must be undertaken on this issue to provide accurate data to facilitate reform.	Dr. Milton Byrd