RIT?
¬?More than 80 percent of Americans lacking health coverage live
in households with either a full-time or part-time worker. But the
cost of insurance is making it increasingly difficult for
employers, particularly small employers, to fund coverage.
EDITOR:
More than 80 percent of Americans lacking health coverage live in households with either a full-time or part-time worker. But the cost of insurance is making it increasingly difficult for employers, particularly small employers, to fund coverage.
And even when the company does offer a health plan, lower wage employees cannot always afford their share of premiums. With “Cover the Uninsured Week” getting a lot of attention recently, it is about time for employers to re-think how they provide and fund coverage.
First, rather then selecting a specific health plan for their workers, employers can switch to a defined-contribution model where they simply determine how much they wish to spend on health insurance and then provide those dollars to each employee as a sort of voucher. Such as system provides employees with access to coverage while allowing the employer to stay within his or her budget.
Second, employers should make it as easy as possible for employees to secure coverage by providing them access to health purchasing alliances wherein employees choose a health plan that is right for them. Experience has shown that employees are more willing to pay their fair share so long as they are given the opportunity to make their own choices.
Finally, employers should look for financial incentives for their employees to fund health coverage. Some new consumer-directed healthcare products qualify for a tax-deferred Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA). This is attractive to employees and provides further encouragement to sign up.
It is inexcusable that 41 million of our fellow citizens lack basic health coverage. These are the orphans of America’s greatness. It is time for all of us to do all that we can to foster awareness, encourage dialogue and find solutions to one of our nation‚s greatest tragedies.
John Word III,
Partner of California Choice
