Movers & Shakers 2009: Public wellness

As the national debate about health care rages on, it's easy to forget that there are thousands of people in the midstate who are uninsured or underinsured.

More than 157,084 people in Central Pennsylvania lacked health insurance in 2008, according to an analysis of the most recent U.S. Census data by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.

That amount included 13.1 percent of the population of Lancaster County, or 65,138 people. Other midstate counties fared better: Dauphin County had 9.6 percent of its residents who were uninsured, Cumberland County had 8.1 percent, Lebanon County had 9.6 percent and York County had 9 percent.

Some 81 percent of the state's uninsured are working adults, according to the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. As more laid-off workers lose employer-provided insurance during the downturn, the percentage of state residents who lack coverage is expected to increase.

Obvious health risks result from a lack of access to health care, and sick employees cost businesses time and money. In addition, high numbers of uninsured residents place a strain on local health care systems through uncompensated care and accumulation of bad debt.

How we can change?

There are a variety of ways midstate business -- even those with little or no connection to health care -- can work toward public wellness.

Are you a doctor, nurse or physicians assistant with some spare time on your hands? National groups such as Volunteers in Medicine are always looking for health care providers to donate medical services to those in need.

But you don't have to be an MD or DDS to pitch in. Clinics such as SouthEast Lancaster Health Services and York-based Family First Health could use your dollars to fund care for the underserved.

Letting your employees know about local organizations that provide health care for the uninsured and uninsured also can have a multitude of benefits. It can encourage donations, but it also can give them, their family and their friends a way to access health care if they're ever in need.

Leading by example

Bob Phillips
Agent, Robert J. Phillips Insurance Agency Inc.
Lebanon County

For Bob Phillips, a healthy employee is a happy employee.

To that end, Phillips is chairing an effort to bring a Volunteers in Medicine clinic to Lebanon, backed by area philanthropist Frank Dixon. The clinic is expected to open Dec. 2. It will be designed per the national nonprofit's credo to care for the working uninsured and underinsured.

"Having access to health care makes (people) healthier employees," Phillips said. "In terms of general quality of life, it's a great improvement from the way things are now (for them), which is waiting until they're really sick and have to go to emergency room."

Phillips and his committee have hired two paid administrators for the appointment-only clinic, with the bulk of the care provided by volunteers. About 225 medical and clerical professionals have signed up so far, he said.