1. 1 Alaska State Planning Grant Overview Alice Rarig, MA MPH PhD Planner, Health Planning & Systems Development Unit Office of the Commissioner Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Alaska Health Summit December 4, 2006 Anchorage, Alaska

2. 2 A Project for Studying the Uninsured in Alaska, and for Identifying Options for Expanding Health Care Coverage September 2005 – August 2007 Funded by USDHSS Health Resources and Services Administration Focused on in-depth studies of the uninsured in Alaska

3. 3 Project Goals Do necessary data gathering to provide insight into the complexities of health insurance coverage Identify options for making affordable health insurance available to Alaskans currently uninsured

4. 4 Methods and Activities Collaboration with stakeholders and with partners within state government Gathering information and resource materials –Alaska data and relevant material from other states Analysis Posting and Publishing Website: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/commissioner/Healthplanning/planningGr ant/default.htm http://www.hss.state.ak.us/commissioner/Healthplanning/planningGr ant/default.htm

5. 5 Methods Household survey Employer survey Focus groups Key informant interviews Analysis of existing survey, administrative and demographic data Economic analysis –trends and impacts of the uninsured Actuarial analysis of options Forum discussions of options

6. 6 Related Activities Dissemination of information –Add links to national and state resources –Post and present data from Alaska studies –Summarize Focus Groups, Key Informant Interviews, and Forums –Inventory and analyze policy options Policy discussions –Organize forums/discussions with the public