Consider the cost of education cuts

To the editor:

The purpose of this correspondence is to object to several proposed budget cuts under the area of education. I am aware that the state needs to be mindful of the budget and make efforts to reduce spending; however, I fear that some of the items that were proposed by the House Finance Budget Committee will have devastating and costly long-term outcomes.

I work in primary care and every day I witness a major problem with supply and demand.

Recruiting primary care physicians is very difficult, especially in the Mat-Su Area, which is also one of the fastest growing areas in the nation.

The problem is so severe that the VA is contracting with my employer (Southcentral Foundation) because they can’t even recruit and keep a physician. The doctors that we have (we did have three but just lost one due to burnout) have very large panels that are practically impossible to manage and continue to grow.

When providers are overworked, things get missed. How can they possibly get full histories and provide appropriate treatment when they have a new patient every 15 minutes?

Mat-Su Health Foundation is aware of the shortage of health care providers; thus, they provide scholarships in order to recruit people to pursue careers in healthcare.

Alaska’s regional medical education program, called WWAMI, was created more than 40 years ago with a goal to increase access to medical training for Alaska residents and to hopefully recruit them to jobs back in our State.

In 2006, an Alaska Physician Supply Task Force actually recommended for the Alaska WWAMI class size to be doubled and this was approved by a 59-1 vote of the Alaska Legislature.

Why in the world would the committee propose cuts and suggest we phase out the program when our population continues to grow rapidly?

Future generations will surely question this decision, if approved, as they likely won’t be able to access their primary care providers in a timely manner and the providers we have will likely burn out and go into private practice, thus further reducing access. Can you imagine having to wait weeks or even months to see your doctor for only 15 minutes?

I am also concerned about the proposed cuts to Best Beginnings and Parents as Teachers programs. It is well known that for every dollar invested in early education, $7 are saved in the long term.

Of course, outcomes aren’t readily available because these programs are intended to produce long-term results. The research has already been done (See the January 2009 ISER report “The Cost of Crime: Could the State Reduce Future Crime and Save Money by Expanding Education and Treatment Programs?”). Does the House Committee have any research that suggests cutting these programs will save us money in the long run?

It’s very frustrating how our legislators seem to be focused on immediate savings in order to gain public approval and votes without regard to how these decisions impact future generations.

Alaska residents deserve opportunities for health and education. If the legislator is intent on cutting these programs, then we might as well increase funding for corrections and build more jails.

I am hopeful that the committee will seriously consider the implications of their decisions and allow time for the deliberation and professional analysis that was not allowed at the meeting that occurred earlier this week. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my educated concerns and professional opinion with the leaders in our state. Thank you for your service and feel free to follow up with me for further discussion.

Desiree Compton

Wasilla