|
Rising health care costs are impairing Ohio's economic development and competitiveness. Individuals, businesses, government and providers must work together to find ways to stem the rising cost of employer-provided health care coverage for Ohio workers and their families, while seeking better coverage for those in need. We must change government policies and regulations that needlessly contribute to the skyrocketing cost of providing health care services. Any action that drives up the cost of health insurance premiums further will ultimately lead to increased numbers of uninsured Ohioans. In addition, we must eliminate lawsuit abuse that threatens the future viability of our medical professionals, employers and workplace health insurance plans. But even while making these changes, we cannot neglect our own responsibility -- as employees and as consumers -- to make better decisions about our own wellness and health care spending.
Ohioans suffer from many economic and health conditions that contribute significantly to health care spending, loss of life, and disability. Per person, our health care spending is above average, compared to the rest of the United States, for people covered by private insurance and those enrolled in Medicaid. Our quality of life is also diminished by our above-average rates of heart disease, diabetes, smoking, depression, obesity and several other chronic conditions. And although Ohio’s uninsured population is lower, proportionately, than other states, there are still 1.3 million Ohioans without insurance coverage. Persons without insurance are more likely to suffer from inadequate treatment for chronic disease. There is a need for more access to primary and preventative care for Ohio’s population. In short, we can and must improve all three of our health care system's major pillars: cost, quality, and access.
The majority of Ohioans receive health care benefits through their employers. When health care costs rise, employers are forced to take on additional costs to provide sufficient coverage for their employees. That typically translates into greater premiums paid by employees, as well as less money for salary increases and other benefits. Every citizen should be aware of these potential impacts of health care reform:
Ohio’s health care spending is projected to grow from $89 billion today to more than $200 billion in 2018. The comparable figures nationally are $2 trillion today and $4 trillion in 2018. That’s much higher than the rate of inflation and the average rate of increase in salaries and wages. These trends directly affect you: the average premium that an insurer charges an employer to cover a family of four was $12,700 in 2008. The average worker contributed $3,400 against this cost – 12% more than the year before. This pace of increase is unsustainable for both employers and the workers they employ. In fact, small businesses are reaching the point where they simply cannot afford to cover the same benefits they have traditionally provided to their employees. More than half can no longer afford to offer health insurance benefits to their employees at all. As you think about health care reform proposals, ask whether the proposals will help improve this trend or make it worse.
Here are some important factors to consider regarding health care proposals at the state and federal level: My life and health. Is the health reform proposal likely to extend life and improve health? How will it affect medical error rates and the quality of care health care workers provide? My affordability. Are the proposal's costs sustainable? What will it do to my tax burden and the debt burden my kids will inherit? How will the proposal affect health care inflation? Will it encourage employers who are currently helping to pay for insurance to continue to offer benefits to employees, or will they be encouraged to stop offering insurance altogether - leaving the government and taxpayers to pick up the full cost of health care for more people? Overall fairness. The costs and benefits of health care proposals to both consumers and other stakeholders must be carefully considered. Does the proposal encourage individuals to be more responsible in managing their own health? Will more people get access to the care and services they need, in the right place at the right time? Will doctors and other health care workers be paid fairly for their services? My future satisfaction. How does the reform proposal affect the things I care about? Will it limit my choice of doctors? Does it limit the type of care I can receive? How will it affect my ability to get access to the best treatment options for my family? Ohio's business climate. Health care is important, but so are jobs. What will the reform proposal do to Ohio's hospitals and insurance industries, which together are two of the largest sectors of Ohio's economy? What are the proposal's broader effects on business? Will they be more competitive - and thus able to grow and provide more jobs and higher wage - or less competitive?
It is important for Ohio state legislators to promote strong, affordable health care for employees at a reasonable cost to employers. For that to happen, Ohio's workforce must urge our lawmakers to consider the following:
|
