Is Workplace Health Coverage Dying

[RedEarth]

June 16, 2006 -- For decades, most Americans have gotten their health coverage at work, and 175 million still do. But with skyrocketing costs placing a drag on both families and companies, some experts say it's time to take health coverage out of the workplace.

The White House is leading the charge to decrease employers' role in medical insurance. The only problem, according to analysts, is this: If employers don't offer coverage, who will?

There are already signs that workplace medical coverage is on the decline. About 60% of Americans get their health coverage through an employer, 5% less than did five years ago, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. At the same time, companies that do offer coverage are contributing less and less to premiums and other costs.

The system's worked well since World War II. But now, total health premiums for the typical family of four are nearly $11,000 per year -- a number that's expected to top $17,000 by 2010. More and more big companies are complaining that workers' health costs are hurting competitiveness, while a rising number of small businesses simply don't offer coverage at all. With no major changes on the horizon in Washington to rein in costs, some experts are saying that the end of the employer-sponsored health system has arrived.

"It's collapsing in front of our eyes," says Andrew Stern, president of the Services Employees International Union. "We have to recognize that employer-based heath care is ending. It's dying. It will not return," he said Friday at a forum sponsored by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.


http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/123/115214.htm?printing=true

[Virginia Dare]

1. Yes, right along with workplace pensions...

paid vacations and sick time can't be far behind.

Unless you're a CEO, forget any hope of retiring, at least not comfortably.

[DBoon]

3. at least with slavery

the slave owner had an economic interest in keep their slaves healthy enough to work.

Under capitalism, if you get sick, they just fire you and hire someone else.

[napi21]

2. That's what the Pubs are trying to do...get it out of the work place!

The problem with that, or at least one of them, is that ins. co's currently base their premiums on past claim history of a group. If the opportunity to have "groups" goes away, and insurance becomes like a commodity, anyone with any health problems at all won't be able to afford ANY insurance at all!

[ThomCat]

4. Exactly.

This is social darwinism in practice. Put everyone under intense pressure to survive. Make health a commodity. Stratify society into an elite upperclass and a permanent underclass.

Children of the underclass will be branded by their lack of healthcare and education, making social mobility nearly impossible.

[NMMNG]

5. And what do they care if the underclass survives?

There will be plenty of "guestworkers" willing to take their places and work for a pittance (and no benefits) as they die off year after year.