Providence, Premera squabble

Providence and Premera are getting divorced. They cannot agree on what percentage of health care costs they should each be responsible. As a result, in 2017 those insured by Premera will be significantly impacted financially.

For the family with a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a condition that often requires frequent hospitalizations and intravenous medications, the out–of-network cost will be devastating.

Spokane has the only Cystic Fibrosis Clinic in Eastern Washington. Many patients travel over 200 miles to receive its specialized care. The clinic physicians are employed by Providence and as such, their admitting privileges are to Sacred Heart Hospital.

It is difficult to feel empathy toward Providence or Premera when both not-for-profit companies are reporting profits in the billions due to the increased number of medically insured and subsequent reduction in charitable care stemming from the Affordable Care Act.

If only these two parents would set aside their own self-interests, uphold their promise statement of “know me, care for me, ease my way,” and their purpose statement of “improving customers’ lives by making health care work better,” and come to an agreement.

Providence and Premera, please utilize your profits to do what is best for our children.

Erin Ferraro, RN

Greenacres