In the past few weeks, a great deal of attention has been given to West Virginia's Medicaid program. Some individuals and organizations have criticized Medicaid's redesign process, arguing the system is not helping the average Medicaid recipient. Others are defending the program, saying the process will take time to have its intended effects.

Regardless of whether people agree or disagree with the Medicaid redesign and how it should be implemented, the program is a bold move, and its goals certainly are admirable. UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia Inc., the state's largest Medicaid-managed care organization, feels confident in making this statement because of our company's experience and position within the Medicaid system.

At the heart of redesign are personal responsibility and the encouragement of Medicaid recipients to be proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These principles have been central to UniCare's practices since we began providing Medicaid coverage to our West Virginia members. UniCare believes that prevention and a proactive approach are vital to improving the health care landscape in West Virginia.

At UniCare, this begins with support, communication and education. All three originate with our company's Community Resource Center (CRC). Part of a unique community-based model designed and developed by UniCare, the CRC delivers individualized health care coordination to its members and their communities.

Centers are staffed by dedicated teams offering local residents and providers a facility that can design health programs and services to address specific community needs, such as disease-management programs for asthma or diabetes, prenatal programs and smoking cessation education.

A desired complementary effect of the proactive approach will be a savings in cost. A recent news article stated that West Virginia Medicaid spending has nearly doubled during the past decade.

We at UniCare study those numbers thoroughly as well. When doing research for the company's collaboration with Weight Watchers of West Virginia Inc., UniCare learned the state was paying about $135 million annually on obesity-related diseases. This total, and the number of health conditions that result from being obese, could certainly be decreased by taking a proactive approach and preventing obesity.

The private sector already has noticed the potential cost savings of preventative wellness programs, and numerous businesses, both large and small, have well-established plans already in place.

If West Virginia continues to use the same strategies, policies and activities that have led it to be one of the nation's unhealthiest states, then we will continue to see the same results.

Kevin R. Hayden is president of state-sponsored business for WellPoint Inc., the parent company of UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia Inc. He has more than 23 years of experience in health care administration and most recently served as secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services for Wisconsin. Prior to that, he served as the administrator for Wisconsin's Division of Health Care Financing, where he was responsible for the oversight of the Wisconsin Medicaid Program. He also has held executive positions in physician group practices and health systems in Wisconsin, Illinois and Colorado. He has received several national and state awards recognizing his leadership in health care administration.