Doesn’t this sound ideal:
“An analysis of proposals to overhaul U.S. health care by President-elect Barack Obama and members of Congress suggests it is possible to insure all Americans without significantly raising total health spending.”
That quote taken from an article reported today by Reuters, indicates that, at last, there is a goose to lay the golden egg which will solve all the [tag]health care[/tag] coverage problems.
Believe me, I’m all for finding that goose and keeping her alive and well.
The article continues:
“With the nation facing a poor economic outlook, cost-saving measures become paramount. [editorial: point well-made!] “The really important numbers are the effects on national health expenditures. Ultimately, that determines the growth of the national health care budget,” [Sara Collins of the Commonwealth Fund] said… It would cost the federal budget $188.5 billion in 2010, but would cut national health spending by $58.1 billion by covering more people under Medicare, which has far lower administrative costs than private insurance plans.” [editorial: not sure I agree with that statement]
According to this report, we:
- finally have an answer to the health-care challenge that has plagued American society for decades, and
- it will only cost a little bit more, because the increased national health care budget requirements will be offset by other government savings, so
- we can all sleep better at night
I must apologize for letting a little bit of cynicism creep in here because I have yet to find the goose with the golden egg that doesn’t also have a bit of lead somewhere in its feathers.
Here’s the lead. According to a study by the Congressional Budget Office, reported by Workforce Management:
“Such a law, known as an employer mandate, could lead workers to retire early or change jobs. It could also lead firms to hire fewer low-wage workers, since their total compensation would be greater than their value to an employer, the report says.”
Now we learn that creating this kind of a system may cause you, as a business leader, increased cost in [tag]turnover[/tag], loss of [tag]intellectual capital[/tag], and lower [tag]HC ROI[/tag].
I won’t predict whether this type of legislation will pass or not. What I will do is suggest that you as business leaders start looking very closely at the [tag]productivity[/tag] of your workforce and ensure that you are managing your “[tag]people margin[/tag]” as best as you can to deal with any needs that may arise.
Let me know your thoughts on this. Are you concerned about health-care costs and health-care reform? Or will this not make that much of a difference to your organization’s profitability?
Recent Comments