Coalition opens doors to health care.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Ken Provencher For The Register-Guard

United Way of Lane County is about to launch its 2007 Community Needs and Assets Survey. This sophisticated household phone survey gathers information about the challenges Lane County residents' families face, and the effectiveness of the services they seek. As with a similar survey in 2004, we expect that access to health care will be a continuing (or maybe growing) concern.

The 2004 Needs Assessment showed that, for the first time, the top three needs for all of Lane County's residents - regardless of age, socioeconomic status and geography - were access to doctors, affordable insurance and medications.

In response, United Way of Lane County, PacificSource Health Plans, the Lane Individual Practice Association and others began to discuss how to address the growing numbers of uninsured. This effort, now called the 100 Percent Access Coalition, involves committed leaders who believe that by working together, we can do better locally when it comes to serving the uninsured.

Because of the coalition's efforts, we can now help uninsured people manage their chronic illnesses and offer support to help them find free and low-cost medications. The coalition is working to expand outreach efforts so that uninsured people get enrolled in currently available health insurance programs. The coalition is building support and recognition for our county's diverse network of primary care safety net clinics that currently serve the uninsured and need additional resources to expand their capacity.

Through the coalition, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and PeaceHealth are working together to better understand who is using their emergency departments and why. We are strengthening the centralized information and referral line at White Bird Clinic and building support systems so a neighbor might notice early signs of a mental illness before the situation deteriorates into a crisis.

The number of partners working to increase access to health care has grown to over 50 organizations over the past two years. Partners include stellar primary health care organizations that are currently serving uninsured and low-income residents such as the RiverStone Clinic and Safe and Sound Homeless Clinic; the school-based health centers, White Bird Clinic and Volunteers in Medicine. Other partners include Oregon Medical Group, Cascade Health Solutions, Pacific Benefits Consultants, Lane County, the city of Eugene, Head Start of Lane County, ShelterCare, and many others.

The 100 Percent Access Coalition allows Lane County to speak with one voice on health care reform. This has allowed Lane County to link to and influence statewide and national efforts like former Gov. John Kitzhaber's Archimedes Movement (www.wecandobetter.org), Sen. Ron Wyden's Citizens Health Care Working Group (www.citizenhealthcare .gov), and CodeBlueNow! (www.codebluenow.org).

As the legislative session moves forward, Lane County will be well-positioned to help shape and implement health reform proposals like the governor's Healthy Kids Initiative and other proposals.

The dire predicament of America's health care system is not just a problem for low- and middle-income people. We are hearing from insured people whose medical crises have been compounded by reduced benefits, increased co-pays, and higher out-of-pocket maximums. Local employers are also challenged by the effects of health care costs on their bottom line and the decision of whether to continue offering coverage for their employees. No one is immune to the growing health care crisis in America.

But in Lane County, today we have a vision and a partnership for action.

The 100 Percent Access partners agree: By aligning resources and volunteers toward a coordinated community approach, we will provide better care to more people at less cost. Whatever the federal or state solution, health care will always be provided locally. The key stakeholders are already seeking bold solutions for the under- and uninsured residents of Lane County. We are working together to improve the organization of our local delivery system, to maximize the effective management of our resources, and to customize community-based solutions when gaps are identified.

By working together, we can do better locally - and we can provide a model for other communities to follow.

Ken Provencher, president and CEO of PacificSource Health Plans, is chairman of the 100 Percent Access Coalition. This essay was signed by other members of the coalition's executive committee: Maurine Cate, CEO of McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center; Terry Coplin, CEO of the Lane Individual Practice Association; Priscilla Gould, executive director of United Way of Lane County; John Lively, director of Sage Software; Mel Pyne, CEO of PeaceHealth Oregon Region; Rob Rockstroh, director of Lane County Health and Human Services, and Eugene City Manager Dennis Taylor.