HISTORY
OF THE COOPERATIVE
In the fall of
1993, several local business representatives met informally to discuss their
rising health care costs. At that time, President Clinton was discussing universal
health care, a concept that concerned the employers who offered a self-insured
insurance plan to their employees. The employers discussed the importance of
keeping health care locally managed and how this concept could be implemented
with minimal to no state or federal intervention. Within six months, the small
group developed into a large group of over 100 individuals who were civic
leaders, employers, employees, and other community residents.
In the spring of
1994, a consultant was hired to guide the "group" through the
development of a community-based program that would enable employers to offer
cost effective health care to their employees. The name "Patoka Valley
Regional Health Care Cooperative" was adopted, and later changed to
“Patoka Valley Health Care Cooperative” by the group. The Cooperative became
incorporated in May of 1994 and an eleven-member Board of Directors was
assembled. In the fall of 2004, the
Cooperative developed a program that also allowed access to the Patoka Valley
Health Care Network for employers who offered a fully insured insurance plan to
their employees.
The Cooperative is
an Indiana based, non-profit, taxable corporation. The
Board of Directors currently consists of six employer members, three physician
members, and one hospital administrator. The Board met weekly for an extended
period of time during the development phase of the Cooperative and currently
meets on a bi-monthly schedule. On January 1, 1995, the Cooperative
"opened its door" and on January 30, 1995, a UR nurse was hired.
Currently, the Cooperative has a full-time Executive Director, Administrative
Assistant, UR Nurse, and a part-time Medical Director. The Cooperative began
operation with about 1,800 insured employees and today covers over 10,000 insured
employees.