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By Jerry Lankford
Record Editor

Taking responsibilities of one’s own healthy lifestyle is one way to cure an ailing healthcare system.

That’s what Rep. Virginia Foxx told a group of about 30 — mostly hospital staff members — during a healthcare summit held at Wilkes Regional Medical Center on Monday.

“Our mentality is that we can do anything we want to and you all can fix us,” said Foxx, who represents Wilkes and 11 other counties in the 5^th U.S. Congressional District.

Foxx called the summit after a previous district-wide “listening tour” brought many questions about healthcare and the high cost of health insurance.

“This time we focused on (meeting at) hospitals, assisted living facilities and doctors’ offices,” she said, adding that the WRMC meeting was her fifth such stop.

“One of the things we’re asking at each place is how the federal government can be more friendly and efficient,” Foxx said, adding that five to 20 percent of healthcare cost goes to the federal government, mostly for processing paperwork.

High priced malpractice insurance is another factor that is driving up the cost of healthcare, Foxx said. She said there is a malpractice insurance reform bill in the works that could help ease that problem.

“As far as the malpractice reform, we would make sure to take care of all the real malpractice issues,” while putting a more watchful eye on “frivolous” claims.

Several members of the audience asked questions.

North Wilkesboro Town Commissioner Bert Hall, who is also a member of the WRMC Hospital Board, said that the cost of indigent care is driving up the cost of healthcare at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Hall asked if there were in bills in the works to “make it easier for people to get health insurance?”

Foxx said proposed health savings accounts could be the future of health insurance coverage.

“A lot of people think that’s the real beginning of some real changes,” she said. “I’m optimistic about the health savings accounts.”

There is also a proposal that would allow small businesses to join together to obtain better health insurance group rates, Foxx added.

Wilkesboro Town Commissioner Gary Blevins said that resources should be redistributed to promote more healthy life styles, which could in turn lower health insurance costs if there were fewer claims.

Foxx compared automobile and home insurance to health insurance.

“Home and car insurance doesn’t cover maintenance, but we expect that from our health insurance,” she said.