Community and health officials are praising Howard?s plan to provide health care to thousands of uninsured residents, but recognize that time will tell how well the program will work.
“It?s going to be a challenge. There are a lot of moving parts there,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.
For a low monthly fee, each participant in the Howard health plan will receive up to seven primary care visits, discounted prescription drugs, specialty care and a health coach, who will help guide the patient on living healthy.
Keeping residents enrolled and ironing out details, such as what to do if someone fails to pay the premium one month, are among the obstacles Howard officials are likely to face, Benjamin said.
Howard County General Hospital board members have raised questions about how many physicians will participate and if enough doctors will be available as the enrollment numbers grow, said Victor Broccolino, the hospital?s president and chief executive officer.
Physicians who are on board are working to enlist other physicians.
The hospital has agreed to forgive hospital costs of those who are enrolled, and how much that will cost the hospital “remains to be seen,” he said.
By first identifying uninsured residents who qualify for existing programs, the county can reduce the number of patients seeking emergency care, possibly easing the hospital?s costs, Broccolino said.
“I think the first year, we need to just see what happens and see how much we can measure the [community?s health] improvement,” he said.
Funding may be tough in years to come, as more residents are enrolled and health care costs rise, said Jonathan Weiner, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The final details are being worked out, and Howard officials are open to suggestions, said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard?s health officer.
At three town hall meetings, Howard officials will explain the program and listen to concerns and comments, he said. The plan will be finalized by Jan. 31, in time for a July 1 launch.
