As members of Congress search for a cure to America’s health care crisis, some citizens feel like
helpless patients waiting for a medical diagnosis to their ailments.
But a statewide organization, called Health Policy Institute of Ohio, is trying to make sure national
health care reform makes sense for Ohio.
"We have no political ax to grind," said Paul Quinn, spokesperson for the organization which
was formed five years ago, predating the most recent debate over health care reform.
The institute, which is funded by non-profit foundations interested in promoting "healthy
populations," does not like to use the "L" word.
"We shy away from the word ‘lobby,’" Quinn said.
Instead, the group prefers to refer to itself as a source of information for those involved in health
care reform. And it is intent on understanding how the changes will impact this state.
"When reform comes down, what’s that look like for Ohio?" Quinn said during a recent visit to
Bowling Green. "In local communities, how does it play out?"
Quinn is concerned about some of the public debate over health care reform so far, referring to town
forums earlier this fall where yelling drowned out the possibility of healthy exchange of ideas.
"It is a personal and emotional issue," he said.
And though the institute is not political, Quinn said the fear that reform will create rationed health
care is a weak argument against reform.
"It’s already being rationed," he said.
In Ohio alone, 1.4 million people have no health insurance, he said.
"We spend more than any other country" on health care, Quinn said. "We’re just not getting
the outcomes."
And according to one survey, Ohio’s health care is ranked 32 of the 50 states.
"We are among the highest spending states, but among the lowest quality," he said.
Even the elderly are not immune to gaps in Medicare and Medicaid, Quinn said, referring a man he recently
befriended in Columbus.
"He has to decide, ‘Do I eat or do I buy my medicines?’"
To get an idea of Ohioans’ health care issues, coverage and opinions, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio
recently conducted a survey of 51,000 households.
"It’s the largest survey of its kind," Quinn said.
Following are some results of the Ohio Family Health Survey, specifically for Wood County residents:
¥ 13.44 percent of adults are uninsured.
¥ 5.79 percent of employers or unions do not offer insurance to workers.
¥ 31.93 percent have no dental coverage.
¥ 42.34 percent have no vision coverage.
¥ 16.39 percent have no drug coverage.
¥ 21.22 percent have no mental health coverage.
¥ 14.35 percent rate their health as poor to fair.
¥ 20.45 percent have no usual source for care.
¥ 10.14 percent have needed dental care in last year, but could not get it.
¥ 13.46 percent have needed prescription in last year, but could not get it.
¥ 22.54 percent believe medical care is harder to secure now than three years ago.
¥ 25.13 percent had difficulty paying medical bills in last year.
¥ 38.21 percent said medical bills made is harder to pay for other necessities.
Now the institute is planning a survey of employers in the state.
"We want to make sure we truly understand their concerns," Quinn said.
Quinn is confident that some type of health care reform will occur – "exactly what it will look
like, I’m not sure." He is hoping it will address pre-existing conditions, health information
technology and electronic records.
But until it is hammered out, the institute will keep bringing people together to collect information,
then keep passing that data on to legislators.
"Let’s figure this out," Quinn said.