from VCCA Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, Summer 1992, 55-56
© Copyright 1992 VCCA Journal
The Key Advantage "plan," though fraught with problems, will hit full force October 1, the end of the "postponement" period. Numerous legislators have allied with the Virginia State Employees Health Coalition in calling for a further delay until March 1, 1993. Some legislators have even asked the governor to call a special session of the general assembly specifically to study and revise Key Advantage. Governor Wilder shows no signs of budging. So, what might we do?
According to the Code of Virginia, the governor holds the authority to establish a health insurance plan for state employees and to determine the level of benefits, co-payments, deductibles, and premiums. Legally, he alone holds the power to rescind, delay, and correct Key Advantage. It is nonetheless customary in politics and government for the governor and the legislature to share responsibility. During last year's session of the general assembly, in which a briefing by the Department of Personnel and Training apparently depicted Key Advantage as much like Key Care, the legislature voted approval of the "plan."
Although circumstances may warrant a special session of the general assembly, such a meeting is unlikely for financial and political reasons. It is even unlikely that the governor will agree for the general assembly to modify the "plan" during the next regular session--unless he feels a lot more pressure from state employees, other taxpayers, and legislators. In the face of widespread criticism, he has held fast on many other spending cuts. Also, the governor may feel satisfied that the concessions already being made to health providers and patients by DPT, Blue Cross, and United Behavioral Services will be sufficient to make Key Advantage workable.
Our main hope is to speak and write persuasively to state employees, other taxpayers, legislators, and especially the governor. His address is
Legislators in my own college's district have responded well to a faculty-staff resolution, but normally they prefer individual letters signed by the constituent.
Other taxpayers can be reached through letters and articles in area newspapers, radio and television spots, and personal contacts. They deserve to understand why Key Advantage will neither save money nor provide adequate health care, and they can be especially effective in writing legislators and the governor because they will not be perceived as self serving.
It would help our cause if we conveyed the same basic message in one voice or at least addressed the same basic questions. One way to unify is to communicate through
Numerous problems with Key Advantage have already been expressed clearly and persuasively to legislators, but often piecemeal. We need to formulate a coherent critique of the separate provisions for physical health and mental health. We need to show why the concessions being made in response to criticism will be inadequate. And we need to demonstrate reasonable, workable alternatives that we are willing to support.
The governor initiated Key Advantage to save sixty million dollars in state funds, about one percent of the state payroll. It is incomprehensible that no one even asked if we would be willing to pay that one percent from our own pockets (or from long-overdue raises!) to help fund an effective health program. I am not here advocating that we do so. I simply wish to illustrate that better means exist for saving state monies than undermining our health care.
Better means include thorough research and planning, which must involve health providers, state employees, and legislators as well as DPT and the proprietary agencies contracting to "manage" the program. Indeed does research even support the adoption of so-called "managed" care at all? Apparently some well-planned, well-administered "managed" programs do save money and provide acceptable care. But often "managed" programs cost more or the same, undermine the quality and quantity of care, and involve providers and patients in reams of paperwork, not to mention violations of professionalism and confidentiality.
As state employees we deserve a sound, economical health program. Unless we persuade the governor to order a program which is well planned and well administered, we will be stuck with Key Advantage.
Dick Harrington, who teaches English at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, served as the first President of the Virginia Community Colleges Association.