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Working together to improve health-care access
The following column was published in The Tulsa World April 27, 2008.
 Not many would argue that we face challenges within our health care system, but there is often disagreement on how best to address these concerns. Thoughtful people on all sides of these debates make their voices and ideas heard. But one thing is certain: The success of any efforts to improve health care depends on a willingness to work together.
As we commemorate National Cover the Uninsured Week, Sunday through Saturday, I'd like to share a successful collaborative effort in Oklahoma that is addressing one of the greatest health-care challenges we face -- the uninsured.
Currently, just over 18 percent of Oklahomans have no health coverage. That number is far too high. Health insurance can and must be part of the solution. We're part of the existing uniquely American system, and we're in a position to help. As a representative of Oklahoma's only not-for-profit mutual insurer with a 68-year investment in the state, I can assure you that not only are we committed to help, but we're working with others to do just that.
Over the past several years Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has worked closely with elected officials, the Oklahoma Insurance Commission, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the state Chamber and others to develop an innovative public-private solution, one that is lowering the state's number of uninsured. The program is Insure Oklahoma, and it's a terrific example of how insurers can work with business leaders and government officials to address challenges in creative and successful ways.
Insure Oklahoma is a health insurance premium assistance program that helps the state's small businesses offer affordable health coverage to their employees. The program's sole sources of funding are proceeds from a tobacco products tax passed by state voters in 2004 and resulting federal matching dollars. These funds pay up to 60 percent of eligible workers' health care premiums.
Currently, employees of businesses with 50 or fewer employees and their spouses can participate. Insure Oklahoma also provides an affordable individual plan for workers whose employers don't offer coverage. Both plans require that enrollees' household income not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Small businesses are the bread and butter of this state, and Insure Oklahoma is helping these employers not only with healthier work forces, but also with retaining those employees. Everyone benefits when more people are insured. The high number of uninsured citizens impacts everyone in the form of the rising health-care costs.
This program is successful, and it's making a difference in people's lives. Enrollment in Insure Oklahoma has more than doubled in the past six months, and more than 9,500 enrollees and nearly 2,300 small businesses now benefit from the program.
A possible expansion of the program's eligibility soon could allow much greater growth to be realized. A state law enacted nearly a year ago will allow businesses with up to 250 employees and individuals with household incomes of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level to participate. While already law, we're awaiting the final steps required by federal agencies to implement this needed program expansion.
The statute that created Insure Oklahoma also requires the program to remain federally "budget neutral," and it has more than met this requirement. The cost of the expansion is minimal compared to the program's budget savings to date. This program works, and more must be able to take advantage of it.
Insure Oklahoma also is gaining attention nationwide as a model to be replicated. More public-private solutions such as this one are needed.
This week as the nation turns its attention to the uninsured, let's remember that we already have a program here that's poised to make a serious dent in this problem. Insure Oklahoma shows that with all of us at the table and working toward collaborative solutions, we can make a difference. We're stronger together than we are apart.
Bert Marshall is vice president of external affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
Copyright © 2008 The Tulsa World All Rights Reserved
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