Washblog

It is good to hear that Regence recognizes that we are "on the brink of an electrifying change" to our heath care system in an Opinion Editorial published in the Seattle PI dated September 29th 2008. As a reader and someone worried about the health care problem, I am heartened to hear that Regence supports affordable, equitable, quality coverage for all. But I cannot say I am completely reassured. No where does Regence new President Hensley outline how Regence will curtail inefficiencies, calculate affordability, ensure quality or define equity. Frankly, given that health-care-related bankruptcy is a visceral reality, I want everyone involved to agree on the definition of "all," because we can't afford to have any misunderstandings or to cutting corners. In a time when the American taxpayer is going to see 850 billion dollars leave their collective pocket book, The Truth Squad's - a group of grassroots organizations, unions and medical providers- call for transparency is more than understandable.
Of course, no one wants Regence to transgress Federal law, and I applaud Mr. Hensley's vigilance in protecting his members' medical privacy. However, it is mandatory to ensure that we are all on the same page and working towards the same goal. We are all in this together, doctors, legislators, insurers, individuals, we all need to know how Regence calculates affordable, what factors do they take into consideration when they say a family making this amount of money should get this amount of coverage? What are their parameters for quality of care? As I said before, we all have to be on the same page, reaching for the same result. Let's do it, Mr. Hensley. Let's hook this outmoded health care system up, give it a new battery and flip the switch!

By Hillary Crane, member of Washington Community Action Network, Washington CAN!