It?s not easy to improve an individual?s health. And if the goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of an entire community or a state, it gets even more complicated.
Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers led a wide-ranging roundtable discussion about healthcare Monday at the office of Thrive Allen County.
Among those attending were Kansas Rep. Kent Thompson, mental and physical health professionals, business owners, representatives from Thrive and others.
The overall goal, Rogers said, was to identify ways the state could improve factors that adversely impact health.
?As I?ve been traveling around the state, when I hear real life stories, sometimes it keeps me up late at night and other times it really motivates me to get out and get to work,? he said. ?I know we still have challenges but we?re working on them and this information is really helpful.?
A crowd of about 20 attended a roundtable discussion on health-related issues at Thrive Allen County offices Monday evening. From left, Thrive CEO Lisse Regehr, Rhonda Culp, Paul Cloutier, Greta Ingle, Alana Cloutier and Rep. Kent Thompson. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
Insurance
The high cost of health insurance kicked off the discussion.
Business owners Shirley Diehl of 54 Rebuilders and Curtis and Amy Utley of Utley?s Iola Auto Body talked about the challenges of providing insurance as small business owners.
The Utleys do not provide health insurance and said their employees either purchase it through the Affordable Care Act or go without. Many of their employees are single men, who are less likely to carry insurance.
But when something happens that requires a visit to a doctor, those without insurance typically seek care at a hospital emergency room. Because visits to the ER are typically very expensive, many employees are then unable to pay the bills, which can lead to wage garnishments. Sometimes, the employee quits to try to stymie the garnishment process.
?It snowballs,? Amy Utley said. ?They can?t afford to get sick.?
?The single greatest reason for turnover at a small business is not being able to provide health insurance,? Paul Cloutier added. Cloutier is a Humboldt businessman.
Diehl talked about the struggle to provide health insurance for her small family business. She and her husband are covered by Medicare, but employ their son and grandson. They pay $22,000 a year to cover a family of four. Each year, the cost increases by a couple of hundred dollars a month.
?It?s hard, but you can?t be without it,? she said.
Iola Mayor Jon Wells, who also works for Allen Community College, shared his perspective both as an employee and an employer.
