Kitsap’s health and healthcare priorities drove conversation April 21 at Harrison Silverdale, where some 65 representatives from business, education, healthcare, government, service organizations and the faith community gathered for a community roundtable. Facilitated by the Washington Health Foundation, the roundtable was one of 43 held in counties across the state.

Attendees were in agreement that the American healthcare system needs a major tune-up — if not overhaul. The group also agreed on a No. 1 priority: the problem of access for the uninsured and underinsured.

“Access to healthcare should be a basic human right,” said Dr. Doug Felts, to a rounding applause. The director of community health for Peninsula Community Health Centers believes “When you approach it from that perspective, everything else falls into place.”

Findings from the two-hour discussion will be compiled into a Washington Health Values Map — a community-by-community representation to provide a common starting point for public and private leaders to build practical and powerful healthcare solutions.

For more information on the community roundtables, see www.whf.org.