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The Emergency Response Commission To
Address the Health Care Crisis in Alabama
SUMMARY OF MEETING
June 14, 2004
The Emergency Response Commission to Address the Health Care Crisis in
Alabama held its first commission meeting June 14th at the University of
Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. More than 60 legislators, health
care professionals, businessmen, and school officials were present, all
with a common goal: To improve the health and health care of Alabama
citizens.
The School of Medicine’s Dean, Dr. William Deal, welcomed everyone.
Senator Lowell Barron discussed the origins of the commission. An
executive council was elected with Dr. Fredric Burg as Chairman of the
Commission, nominated by Senator Lowell Baron and seconded by John
Beasley; Charles Hartselle as Vice Chairman, nominated by Lt. Governor
Lucy Baxley and seconded by Carol Brown; and Jimmie Denise Clark as
Secretary, nominated by Dr. Bill Coleman and seconded by Eula Das.
Dr. Burg proposed Alabama be known as the “Safest State,” not as something
we are now, but what we are striving to become as a state. He also
stressed the importance for all commissioners to be “green dot thinkers”,
to listen and build upon others ideas instead of always finding fault in
those ideas. This is crucial in order for any idea by the commission to be
put into action. Another area of emphasis includes listening to the
public. Several public hearings will be held in cities across Alabama to
allow citizens to express their ideas and views.
. The charges for this commission include: to decrease the cost of health
care for Alabama citizens and businesses; to increase access to health
care for Alabama citizens; to improve the quality of health care for
Alabama citizens; and to increase the health status of Alabama citizens.
To give an idea of the need for this commission Dr. Burg talked in terms
of dollars. The Alabama state budget is roughly $10 billion. Alabama
spends somewhere around $13.5 billion on health care. This cost is
expected to triple in the coming years. $3.2 billion of the state
expenditure on health care is solely on unintended injuries, which will be
addressed by a committee.
CONTINUED
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