Area doctors acknowledged problems Sunday in West Virginia's and the nation's health-care systems, but offered different solutions to the issue.

Five area physicians and administrators took part in a forum on the future of health- care access in the state at the Temple Israel on Charleston's East End. The Social Committee of Temple Israel sponsored the forum.

The panelists, who discussed health care from their perspective and positions within the medical community, agreed that the state's high obesity and smoking rates and sedentary lifestyle will only worsen health-care problems in the state.

West Virginia is ranked third-highest in the nation for obesity and diabetes, Dr. Mary Buffington Jenkins, medical director of FamilyCare, said. About 64 percent of the population is obese, 9 percent are diabetic and about 40 percent are pre-diabetic, she said.

The state also has the worst dental care in the nation, she said. Only about 33 percent visit a dentist regularly, and about 50 percent of seniors age 75 and above have lost all their teeth, Jenkins said.

Factored into the problem is the state's high rate of uninsured families, she said. About 21 percent of adults and 40 percent of children receive Medicaid, and 17 percent of the state's population is uninsured, she said.

Cost and quality are also contributing factors to healthcare problems in the state, said Dr. Hedda Haning of the Physicians for a National Health Program.

"We all seem to agree that we all want to have health care," Haning said. For that to happen, the nation needs to implement a national health-care system, similar to that in Canada and Europe, she said.

"Private insurance companies are first and foremost businesses," Haning said. These companies make money by not providing care, she said.

Other solutions, said Dr. Steven Jubelirer, oncology professor in WVU's medical school, are to encourage employers to expand coverage to all employees and their families, mandate all individuals purchase insurance, or expand Medicare and Medicaid.

He said health care should be available to all, and not based on social status or the ability to pay, but, "An overhaul of the present health-care system is not going to happen anytime soon."

Dr. Shelda Martin, medical director of the Public Employees Insurance Agency, said from a state level, West Virginia can address some of its health-care problems by better coordinating medical programs, taking advantage of untapped resources such as nurse practitioners and implementing a standard payment plan based on income.

For more information about health-care reform in West Virginia, visit wvahc.org or call 304-344-1673.

To contact staff writer Veronica Nett, use e-mail or call 348-5113.

Area doctors acknowledged problems Sunday in West Virginia's and the nation's health-care systems, but offered different solutions to the issue.

Five area physicians and administrators took part in a forum on the future of health- care access in the state at the Temple Israel on Charleston's East End. The Social Committee of Temple Israel sponsored the forum.

The panelists, who discussed health care from their perspective and positions within the medical community, agreed that the state's high obesity and smoking rates and sedentary lifestyle will only worsen health-care problems in the state.

West Virginia is ranked third-highest in the nation for obesity and diabetes, Dr. Mary Buffington Jenkins, medical director of FamilyCare, said. About 64 percent of the population is obese, 9 percent are diabetic and about 40 percent are pre-diabetic, she said.

The state also has the worst dental care in the nation, she said. Only about 33 percent visit a dentist regularly, and about 50 percent of seniors age 75 and above have lost all their teeth, Jenkins said.

Factored into the problem is the state's high rate of uninsured families, she said. About 21 percent of adults and 40 percent of children receive Medicaid, and 17 percent of the state's population is uninsured, she said.

Cost and quality are also contributing factors to healthcare problems in the state, said Dr. Hedda Haning of the Physicians for a National Health Program.

"We all seem to agree that we all want to have health care," Haning said. For that to happen, the nation needs to implement a national health-care system, similar to that in Canada and Europe, she said.

"Private insurance companies are first and foremost businesses," Haning said. These companies make money by not providing care, she said.

Other solutions, said Dr. Steven Jubelirer, oncology professor in WVU's medical school, are to encourage employers to expand coverage to all employees and their families, mandate all individuals purchase insurance, or expand Medicare and Medicaid.

He said health care should be available to all, and not based on social status or the ability to pay, but, "An overhaul of the present health-care system is not going to happen anytime soon."

Dr. Shelda Martin, medical director of the Public Employees Insurance Agency, said from a state level, West Virginia can address some of its health-care problems by better coordinating medical programs, taking advantage of untapped resources such as nurse practitioners and implementing a standard payment plan based on income.

For more information about health-care reform in West Virginia, visit wvahc.org or call 304-344-1673.

To contact staff writer Veronica Nett, use e-mail or call 348-5113.