The Health Care Industry: Alaska's New Bread and Butter.

• Author: Myers, Deborah J.

Over the past decade, Providence Alaska Medical Center has nearly doubled the size of its work force. Currently, Providence is number two on the list of "Alaska's 100 Largest Private Employers," compiled and published in August 2001 by Labor Economist Neal Fried with the Alaska Department of Labor, Research & Analysis Section. Providence employs nearly 3,100 individuals, second only to Safeway/Carrs, which employs 3,270.

The same report estimates that Providence should "grab the top spot in the not-so-distance future," which would make Providence the state's largest private-sector employer.

Six other health care companies rated in the top 50 private employers. Also making the ranks, in the 15th position, is Alaska Regional Hospital, with 814 employees. Others ranking in the top 50 include Banner Health System, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., Southeast Alaska Regional Health Corp. and Valley Hospital.

"If you look at the '90s as far as employment goes," Fried said, "it grew by 19 percent. Health care grew by 59 percent. It's one of the big, fast performers in the economy."

Several demographic and consumer factors have been causing Alaska's health care industry to expand.

The dearth of affordable health insurance plans may influence patients to skip checkups and delay treatment, according to Lisa Wolf, director of planning for Providence Health System in Alaska. The result is more extensive treatment later.

"That is one of the reasons Providence decided to add a basic program so that patients can be treated more effectively," she said. That program offers general checkups at a competitive rate, similar to those found in doctors' offices.

By getting a checkup today, patients may avoid expensive illnesses and conditions tomorrow.

This kind of forethought demonstrates how health care providers have become more aware of how to meet their patients' needs.

"A very high percentage of Alaskans have their own businesses," said Shara Southerland, assistant administrator at Adult Critical Care for Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. "The time to exercise is limited and the stress is very high."

The state's employment culture also may contribute to the expanding health care industry. Many people are transplanted here for jobs.

"We don't have a lot of extended family," Wolf said, "so there aren't people at home to take care of you."

Whether the situation is an extended hospital stay, nursing home care or home health...