I attended a luncheon event on “Trendspotting: Hot Topics in Advocacy and Consumer Involvement in Oregon,” hosted jointly by The Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the Healthcare Communicators of Oregon. Speakers addressed trends in health care and proven approaches to successful advocacy efforts.
Kitty Powell, Providence Health System, discussed the rising popularity of consumer-directed health plans. There’s “a lot of waste” in the health care system, and too many people are getting health care they do not need, she says. This is one of the factors that has fueled the rise of health care costs. The rate of health care premium increases surpasses the rate of wage inflation. “The cost of health care is fast becoming a large chunk of a person’s wage,” she says.
Employers are less willing to shoulder the cost of providing health insurance for their workers. Only 58% of small businesses (those employing fewer than 50 employees) provide health coverage. That leaves many individuals and families without employer-sponsored health insurance.
Powell discussed how health savings accounts are providing a way for individuals to get coverage, while also taking charge of how they spend health care dollars. The approach is intended to give individuals the power to make decisions about their health care. Theoretically, HAS’s would discourage folks from misusing health care resources.
Tabitha Ingoll, Executive Director of the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Oregon, provided an overview of past and current initiatives for the group. Partnering with private businesses, the group is gaining ground on its "Make it Your Business" campaign. The campaign is urging employers to provide tobacco cessation programs as covered benefits and provide incentives for workers to quit.
Ingoll talked about how “free” media coverage has helped raise awareness of the health consequences of smoking, chewing tobacco and second-hand smoke among youth. Legislators also are a primary target for TOFCO messaging.
Thomas Aschenbrener, president of the Northwest Health Foundation discussed the organization’s work in supporting grassroots efforts aimed at improving access to health care. The foundation, now in its ninth year, also provides advocacy support and training for groups that want their issues addressed. The late Sen. Mark O. Hatfield, one of the founding members of the board, emphasized the purpose of the organization: “We are in business for the underserved population of this state.”
The foundation’s guiding principles promote health care access, focus on health policy and community-based collaborative research. A separate arm of the foundation provides funding for projects that champion health education and evidence-based programs and practices. The foundation also provides technical assistance and advice to nonprofits. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among groups with complimentary goals.
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