A Good Start on Indigent Health Care

* OPTIMA has great potential for improving the cost-effectiveness of health care in Orange County. The stakes are large since our costs are among the highest in the nation, and this fledgling program requires and deserves broad support.

OPTIMA is a new health authority that will oversee public spending on indigent health care. It will begin by taking responsibility for about $500 million in care for county Medi-Cal recipients, which represents 5% of Orange County’s $10-billion health care market. Correcting this portion of the market will have important positive impacts that include improved, lower-cost care for the poor, reduced cost-shifting to the insured and a higher level of cost-effectiveness in our overall health care market.

Every region in the nation is challenged by health care, and all have the choice of taking the initiative on heath care reform or having “solutions” designed elsewhere and belatedly imposed upon us. OPTIMA is an excellent step for Orange County. The Board of Supervisors and those who worked so hard toward this program’s start-up are to be congratulated.

The leadership provided by the seven new OPTIMA directors will be a factor in its success, and they face a serious challenge due to fast-rising costs and turmoil in the health care market. When they need support, we should all be prepared to stand up and deliver.

GREGORY S. BISHOP

Director, Business Health Solutions

Irvine