The Governor has done several things right by guiding his Healthier Indiana plan into law. He’s creating a plan that gives employed but uninsured Hoosiers some health coverage. And he’s raising the money by taxing the state’s largest contributor to Hoosier’s poor health, cigarettes. It’s got symmetry alright, as well as some significant challenges.

The plan is modeled on health savings accounts, which have not been seen much in the low-income population. Educating this population on the difference between an HSA and traditional coverage is an essential first step, and a big one at that.

The Governor’s plan also excludes people who have an option to enroll in an employer-sponsored health plan, but do not. That’s no small group.

But this plan is the product of a lot of good people trying to do the right thing for the half-million plus Hoosiers uninsured among us. It deserves a fair shot. In fact, it deserves more than that.

The Governor himself said the hard part is still ahead of us. While individuals who are eligible can sign up on their own, and make the contributions out of their pocket, the plan will succeed in direct proportion to the number of businesses signing up for the plan. They’re the ones the Governor is counting on to make the contributions and communicate the plan to their employees. So who is communicating the plan to employers?

We suggest that Indiana hospitals and health care providers raise their hands, and say "we will."

Hospitals stand to benefit from more insured patients in their market areas just as individual employers benefit from healthier workers, who are also easier to retain because they are covered. So what if hospitals positioned themselves as the knowledge resources within their local communities, and invited business owners into seminars and workshops on the plan? Of course, before hospitals can become knowledge resources, they need the knowledge. There’s plenty online, and the state could even be challenged to help with training and access to other resources.

Nothing succeeds like success. And if this plan is going to succeed, then early progress is vital. The rising tide of uninsured patients and uncompensated care will only be lessened by multiple efforts from many players in the health care environment. The Governor is making a big effort. Let’s make one ourselves, and see what we can accomplish together.

Steve Cooper is the President of ClaimAid