The Washington Post
October 21, 2001
by Bill Brubaker
“A survey of 200 large employers released last week found that workers will pay an average of 14 percent more for company-provided health benefits next year. That’s almost four times the rate of inflation. And it follows increases of 12 percent for 2001 and 8 percent for 2000, according to the Watson Wyatt Worldwide consulting firm, which conducted the survey.”
“Corporate executives say they have no choice but to scale back benefits and pass on costs because of the sharp rise in insurers’ rates.”
Darnella Layne, 45, a cafeteria worker at Xavier University in Cincinnati:
“I couldn’t afford the premiums this year and I won’t be able to afford them next year. Last year they told me I’d have to pay almost $200 a month for a plan that insured me and my 17-year-old son. I earn $8.87 an hour and they take out a lot of taxes. It’s pitiful: If I bought that health plan I’d barely have a paycheck left.”
Comment: It is really happening. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and both employers and the insurance industry are passing those costs on to the individual employee, beneficiary, patient, consumer, or whatever label is used for the hapless, average American that is bearing the brunt of health care inflation. If the executives of our nation’s businesses and insurance companies believe that they can’t afford to absorb the increases in health care costs, just wait and see what happens when the disposable income of the average individual is consumed by this shift in health care costs. And at four times the rate of inflation!? Disaster is imminent.
Clearly there is great urgency in the need to reinforce the infrastructure of our public health system, based on the shocking realities of recent tragic events. Impairing access by making health care unaffordable would have more insidious but much greater consequences for the health of the people of our nation, not to mention causing the financial breakdown of our health care delivery system once patients are no longer able to access it. The urgent legislation that we need to fund our public health infrastructure MUST include provisions for publicly administered, universal health insurance if we are to assure the integrity and accessibility of our health care delivery system.
Personal note: With humbleness and great pride, I have been honored by Physicians for a National Health Program by being selected to serve as their president, effective in January. I fully intend to continue these messages, but I anticipate more interruptions because of conflicting commitments. Working with the dedicated individuals at PNHP has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Through their efforts in analyzing and developing health policy based on ethics and equity, they have provided the beacon that will lead us to health care justice for all. It is a great honor, and indeed a pleasure, to be part of that team.
Don