|
|
|
|
The Business of Health Care Report
For the past four years, the rising cost of health care has inflicted
a heavy burden on Dallas-Fort Worth area businesses, and reports indicate that the problem is only going to worsen this year. According to an annual survey by Towers Perrin, an international
management and human resources consulting firm, the cost of U.S. employers' health benefit plans will increase 15 percent
on average in 2003. If that happens, it will mark the largest one-year increase in the history of the survey. The same study also found that employees across the country will
be responsible for more out-of-pocket health care costs in 2003 and that HMO increases have outpaced increases in other
types of health plans. Faced with skyrocketing health care expenses, many businesses have
been forced to shift some of the financial burden to their employees. Cost sharing will likely come in the form of increased
monthly premiums, as well as higher deductibles and co-payments. Employers also will have to explore several long-term solutions to
minimize the total cost, including encouraging employees to be purchasers of their own health care by offering defined-contribution
health plans. These plans provide employees with a specified amount of money. The employees then can choose and purchase their
own health care insurance. As employees are asked to pay more, their companies still will bear the
brunt of the cost increases. In some cases, higher premiums could lead to a total loss of coverage for some employees when
employers can no longer afford to provide insurance as a benefit. Still, finding affordable health insurance is a top concern of area
business leaders. They understand the value of providing quality health coverage for their employees. They recognize that
employees are already feeling a pinch as a result of lower wage increases and a declining stock market. They also realize
that health-benefit packages are key elements in attracting and retaining skilled workers. For Texas Health Resources
and its family of hospitals - Harris Methodist Hospitals, Presbyterian
Healthcare System and Arlington Memorial Hospital - I'm CEO Doug
Hawthorne with "The Business of Health Care Report" on NewsRadio
1080 KRLD.
©
2003 Texas Health Resources |
I'm Doug Hawthorne, President and CEO of Texas Health Resources, with
"The Business of Health Care Report" on 