Changes in health care affecting remote areas in Alaska; some seek medical care in other states

Health care reform could have the biggest impact in places like western Alaska, where limited medical personnel cover large areas, and many towns are only accessible by plane or boat. Cutbacks are causing headaches for medical professionals, as well as citizens, in a state where health care costs are often higher than anywhere else. Providing proper care has become a major issue, and is forcing medical personnel to make tough decisions, and forcing some residents to seek health care in other states.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is struggling with proposed changes that might seem routine in other areas, but are less than routine in the vast areas of western Alaska, reports Kirk Johnson for The New York Times. The corporation covers a population of 28,000, mostly Native Americans, but the region is spread out over an area the size of Oregon.

Doing something as simple as installing electronic medical records, which is part of the federal health care overhaul, is a difficult task, because computers in the facilities are run by generators, and the area often has brownouts and fuel shortages, reports Johnson.

A patient arrives at Bethel airport. (Jim Wilson/NYT)

Another problem is trying to find ways to cut costs in issues such as whether or not a situation justifies air transport, when reaching the person by plane is the only option, reports Johnson. None of the areas covered by the corporation has a doctor in residence, so decisions such as air travel are made based on information given over the phone from someone with no medical experience. Even if a flight is approved, flight paramedics have to deal with whiteouts and sub-freezing temperatures. (Read more)

One way Alaska is trying to combat the rising costs of health care is by proposing travel incentives for state employees who undergo medical treatments in cheaper markets outside Alaska, reports Pat Fogey for Alaska Dispatch. Becky Hutberg, commissioner for the state Department of Administration, said that because costs are often cheaper outside the state, "paying for a travel benefit the state can reduce costs for some procedures by sending those for whom it provides care outside for the operations." (Read more)