The Right Thing to Do
Public testimony by CEO Mark Ackley on March 11, 2008

BACKGROUND

Hello. My name is Mark Ackley. I am the Chief Executive Officer for Imaging Associates of Providence, and I’d like to present an overview of events which transpired that brought us to this hearing, and why I believe approving IAP's application for a Certificate of Need is so important — to patients, their physicians and the community in general. 

First of all, I want to make it clear that Imaging Associates of Providence opened its doors in 2006 as a physician’s office, which is exempt from CON. This fact was confirmed on two separate occasions from the state.

In November of 2006, I moved to Alaska from Oregon to become part of IAP.  Like other people you will hear from today, I made a life choice for myself and my family to continue my career with the assurance that IAP was a sustainable business. 

When the State reversed its ruling and required IAP to apply for a Certificate of Need, we were disappointed on many levels.  This entire situation, not to mention enormous legal costs, could have been avoided had clear definitions been in place from the beginning
However, I am confident that IAP truly does fulfill an important need in the community. Our services, accessibility and other factors make IAP both unique and an important part of the health care community.  Therefore, we have submitted our application for a certificate of need for our Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley based offices.   I urge you to approve this application in its entirety.

It will affect:

• Patient access to health care services
• Patient health care choices in providers
• Timeliness of diagnosis and treatment
• Referring physician’s ability to deliver health care
• Employment of 19 Alaskans

Here’s how Imaging Associates improves the lives of patients and their referring physicians and why this Certificate of Need application should be approved:

Imaging Associates is not just another imaging center. We are unique in several aspects, including equipment, scheduling flexibility, locations and full time radiologists on site.  Each of these aspects can and do enhance the lives of our patients and the ability of referring physicians to deliver high quality health care.

As you’ll hear in testimonies today and read in the letters of support and comments we receive at the clinics every day, IAP has made a dramatic difference in the lives of many Alaskans.

I challenge you to evaluate this Certificate of Need application from the point of view of the patients whose lives will be affected by your decision.

Patients deserve to have a choice in health care providers. It’s their health, their time and their resources at stake here.

If a patient needs an MRI today and the hospital is booked, they shouldn’t have to wait and delay treatment.

If a large patient can’t fit into a traditional MRI, they should have a high field short bore option without sacrificing the clarity with a less powerful open bore machine.

If a patient needs a series of CT scans over the course of their chemotherapy, they should be able to choose a machine that offers CareDose for less radiation exposure.

For CT or MR patients with compromised immune systems, who need to limit exposure to germs, going to a hospital can be a serious health risk. These patients need a non-hospital alternative. 

As we’ve already encountered in nearly 2 years in operation, there are many more such situations and real life stories where Imaging Associates has been able to make a difference. 

SUMMARY

In summary, if you evaluate this application from the perspective of a patient, their referring physician and the community at large, you’ll see that there really is a need for our services. 

By approving this application, you will be enhancing the lives of Alaskans throughout the region.

As you’ll hear in their testimony today, the citizens of Alaska ask you to approve this application because Alaskans deserve better health care choices.

Approve it because our technology can and does make a difference in patients’ lives.

Approve it because the lives of patients shouldn’t hinge on murky definitions of “need.”

Approve it because as a Providence Partner, we offer high quality health care choices to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Approve it because it’s the right thing to do.