A Healthier Solution
Sacramento Business Journal - March 9, 2007
The issue: Many employers are cutting back or eliminating their employee health benefits
Our position: Businesses should follow the lead of two programs that pay their employees to be healthy
Healthcare coverage is the biggest concern for many businesses, from large corporations to mom-and-pop shops, according to numerous national surveys. It's been a common complaint among business owners and corporate executives during the past decade.
Many are addressing the problem with a short-term -- and possibly shortsighted -- solution.
More businesses are cutting the percentage of their healthcare contributions, demanding employees dig deeper for the insurance. And some companies, citing the runaway cost, have eliminated healthcare coverage altogether.
It's hard to argue against the decisions, especially if it's a choice between asking employees to pay more for healthcare insurance or trim the work force.
But there might be a better long-term approach -- improving the health of workers.
Two Sacramento-area companies, along with other forward-looking companies nationwide, are addressing the issue head on. Healthcare giant Sutter Health and law firm McDonough Holland & Allen are encouraging employees to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Cholesterol screenings, a dance class or even healthy-cooking programs are becoming part of the workplace. The goal is twofold: improve employees' health while reducing the cost for healthcare insurance.
Sutter Health chief executive Pat Fry has promised $500 to employees who take the health test, establish three goals and reach them. It's a deep-pocketed investment -- possibly $21.5 million if all of the company's 43,000 employees participate.
A personal health-risk assessment along with a test screening will generate savings of $87 per employee in healthcare costs because awareness encourages employees to make lifestyle changes, health officials say. And if a health risk, especially for a life-threatening condition, is detected early, a better outcome is likely along with lower-priced medical insurance in the long run. Plus, the employee will require less time away from the job, an often-overlooked bonus for employers.
It's a much healthier way to address the problem, rather than simply looking at the price.
Businesses -- and their employees -- deserve affordable healthcare, but companies must look to programs that encourage healthier lifestyles without a heavy-handed approach. It's a balancing act that will boost the bottom line and employee morale, while lowering bad cholesterol, blood pressure and, presumably, healthcare insurance costs.
|
