Working Alternative

by LYNETTE PARMLEY
We can all agree that Oklahoman are unhealthy because of our bad habits. Our health statistics are and we have a high number of uninsured. In fact, about 20 percent of Oklahoman have no health insurance - one of the highest per capita levels of the nation. It is not only places enormous upward pressure on premiums paid by those who have insurance, but also strains of State appropriations to pay for assistance to indigent and uninsured.

The solutions to these challenges to start with the private sector. The reforms should be designed to cover nearly 20 percent of uninsured Oklahoman mass rather than creating reforms that affect those who are satisfied with their coverage. Incentives for the private sector to improve the level of participation in the free market system is the best way to offset the current strain.

An effort should be supported is the creation of a "basic" health insurance need not comply with the health coverage mandates. While mandates are always well intentioned, the costs they generate are generally less affordable insurance. The insurance industry has been unfairly targeted as the reason why the mandates are not passed by the Legislature this year when, in fact, insurers simply to "pass through" entities. Added costs are passed on to consumers, which in this case is mainly the small-business owner.

Increased cost of health insurance premiums have the potential of the financial impact of a few different ways. Those who offer coverage in May they find are no longer able to do so while those that cover employees in May decide to postpone the addition of these benefits until "times are better." Therefore, anything that adds costs to already overburdened small businesses, especially in the economy, is something that should not be supported.

The legislature has an important role in efforts to extend health insurance to achieve. Our legislators have the ability to develop incentives for private health insurance market that are more flexible and thus more usable, that the mandates. This could be done by expanding the innovative Insure Oklahoma! aid program to the premium high deductible plans with savings accounts health, creating tax credits or other incentives for plans that include initiatives such as the savings based on medicine, technology of information, pay for performance rewards, limitations of liability on employers and providers, incentives for preventive care and tax deductibility for health-related expenditures.

Whatever road we take, we can all agree on measures to be taken. Let our employers to decide how to get there. Let's give them the tools to make more affordable health insurance - through laws and incentives conducive to strengthening our economic base rather than what to buy and leaving them to scramble on how to get there .

PARMLEY is Vice President of Human Resources for CL Frate and Co. and chairman of the House State of Oklahoma Human Resources Committee.

Our legislators have the ability to develop incentives for private health insurance market that are more flexible and thus more usable, that the mandates.