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The Business of
Health Care Report Political observers will continue to have a field day as republicans and democrats on Capital Hill strive to make peace after a prolonged battle for the White House. With both houses of Congress so evenly divided, it may be difficult to advance any significant legislation. While it looks as though a stalemate is in the offing, consensus on several major health proposals may be possible if for no other reason than the business community wants action. Sharp increases in insurance premiums have forced some employers to shift costs to workers, drastically cut benefits or eliminate them outright. That could push as many as 750,000 workers - unable to absorb increased health care costs - into the ranks of the uninsured, nationwide. The prospect is a depressing one for a state such as Texas, whose 4.8 million uninsured leads the nation among states with the largest uninsured populations. For the uninsured, premium increases take a bigger bite out of workers' take-home pay, undercutting pay raises and the prosperity that comes with a strong economy and a tight labor market. Whatever Congress and the new President decide, politicians will have to make decisions with no clear consensus on policy or politics. That's a risky proposition for officeholders who will someday face re-election, especially considering a subject as volatile, controversial and expensive as health care. Stay tuned to our weekly Business of Health Care reports here on TexasHealth.org and on News Radio 1080 KRLD. Doug Hawthorne - DougHawthorne@TexasHealth.org ©
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