Building a better health system

The governor is writing the health plan for Maine. You and I have been invited to provide our thoughts and suggestions at a series of statewide two-hour sessions hosted by the Governor’s Office of Health Policy & Finance. The tour kicks off Sept. 8 in Brewer.

I submit the following observations with recognition that moving Maine’s health care system toward achieving the vision of quality, access and affordability depends upon the enthusiastic leadership and commitment provided by the private nonprofit and for-profit institutions, their leaders and Maine citizens.

Government’s use of its authority and power to transform health care in Maine does not by itself inspire people to commit to achieve that change. Government’s temptation to rely on a top down command and control approach will only produce results in the short term. Your involvement is the best way to reform Maine’s healthcare system.

I hope our collective vision of the future include the following:

Electronic medical records

Bring health information technology to every patient and provider from Madawaska to Kittery. The electronic health record will save lives, improve access to care, improve patient safety by preventing medical errors and identifying best practices. It will also help to reduce costs, improve coordination of care and streamline administration.

Health savings accounts

Individuals are allowed to deposit money in portable Health Savings Accounts. Withdrawals from health savings accounts are used for medical expenses, including preventative care, insurance deductibles and purchasing prescription drugs. Deposits should be tax free for Maine citizens.

Long-term living

The spectrum of services for Maine’s senior citizens should be tailored for different levels of need which demand different levels of healthcare. The challenge will move us to improve the quality of care and quality of life of both the growing number of active healthy seniors and Maine’s most frail patients. In addition, people age 50 and younger need more incentives to purchase long term disability insurance.

Smart consumers

Empower individuals with their right to know the quality and cost of the care they receive.

Continue the focus on wellness and prevention and measure the results.

Pharmacists are vital

When patients do a better job of compliance with medication regiments for chronic health issues like bone density, cholesterol, and diabetes we help avoid more severe problems later. The local pharmacist is a critical member of the health team and should be recognized in the health plan.

Streamline local public health coalitions

Maine citizens would be better served when the many different local community health coalitions reduce duplication and overlap and agree to develop an efficient and stable frontline public health network.

Beyond our borders

The Maine Health Plan should reject isolationism and embrace alliances with partners in the other Northeastern states. The 1.3 million Maine citizens deserve the opportunity to benefit from health care reform proposals sweeping our neighboring states.

Let’s build a health system with more clarity, less mystery and plenty of straight talk.

Richard Rosen is a Republican state senator from District 31 (22 communities including Brewer and Bucksport). He is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.