On December 4, Governor Sarah Palin announced her health priorities which included the creation of a health care Commission. In conjunction with her stated priorities, Governor Palin signed Administrative Order No. 246 establishing the Alaska Health Care Commission in the Department of Health and Social Services. The purpose of the commission, as stated in the administrative order, is "to provide recommendations for and to foster the development of a statewide plan to address the quality, accessibility, and availability of health care for all citizens of the state."

The administrative order outlines the duties of the Commission. These duties are as follows:
1. serve as the state health planning and coordinating body;
2. consistent with state and federal laws, provide recommendations for and foster the development of a:
a. comprehensive statewide health care policy;
b. strategy for improving the health of Alaskans that includes
i. encouraging personal responsibility in prevention and health living for all residents of the state;
ii. a reduction in health care costs for all residents of the state to be below the national average;
iii. access in communities of the sate to safe water and wastewater systems;
iv. the development of a sustainable health care workforce in the state;
v. quality health care being accessible for all residents of the state; and
vi. increasing the number of residents of the state who are covered by health care insurance; and
3. submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 15, 2010 regarding the Commission's recommendations and activities.

Additionally, the administrative order outlines the structure of the Commission. The Commission will be comprised of "seven voting members appointed by the Governor." The voting members are as follows:
1. the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Social Services, who shall serve as the chair of the commission;
2. a representative from the tribal health community in this state;
3. a representative from the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce;
4. a representative from the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association;
5. a health care provider, who is
a. actively practicing the provider's profession in this state;
b. licensed in this state; and
c. not affiliated with the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association;
6. a representative of the health insurance industry in this state; and
7. a health care consumer who is a resident of this state.

The commission also includes three non-voting members. These members are as follows:
1. an ex officio, non-voting member from the executive branch, appointed by the Governor;
2. an ex officio, non-voting member from the Alaska House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house; and
3. an ex officio, non-voting member from the Alaska Senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

The APCA applauds Governor Sarah Palin for establishing the Alaska Health Care Commission. The APCA recognizes the importance of this Commission in pursuing health reform in the state of Alaska and appreciates the Governor's action on this matter.

Excerpted from the December 24th newsletter published by the Alaska Primary Care Association.