Health-care task force girds its loins

The desired outcomes of the effort are pretty set, but plotting strategies for getting there is the big challenge, said Judi Hilman, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project advocacy and research group.

"What's being dealt with here is neither easily said nor easily done," she said. "The most important aspect of it is that we take advantage of a rare opportunity for people to have a say in how this basic area of daily life can be improved."

The UHPP has made a public call for personal accounts of experiences with the current health care system — both problems and successes. Those who want to share their stories can send them to stacey@utahhealthpolicyproject.org.

A public strategy session sponsored by businesses, charities and government is scheduled April 30 at the University of Utah Health Sciences Education Building. Registration is required and can be completed by contacting UHPP at the above e-mail address.

Utah is not alone in its effort to retool health care. Colorado approved legislation on Tuesday to begin its own reformation plan. The effort is international as well. Thailand, Australia, and even Canada, which is regularly cited by experts as both how the U.S. should or shouldn't render its system.

Context on how it's being done around the world was provided in a documentary broadcast locally Tuesday evening on KUED Channel 7. Among the highlighted systems was Japan. The Japanese go to the doctor 15 times a year and pay half the amount spent on health care by Americans who go to the doctor five times a year.

About 700,000 Americans file bankruptcy every year due to medical bills they can't pay; no other industrialized country has bankruptcy driven by medical costs, according to the Frontline documentary.

About 17,000 American die each year from illnesses they couldn't afford to have treated. In Utah, 160 die due to lack of medical care each year.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com