Health Care Reform

ACU Frank

Okay, so it's done. Or at least, done for now.

Without getting political... Do any of you anticipate any immediate changes in the benefits you offer? Does the bill require a lot of things you don't already have?

After all the hype and hyperbole, I'm interested in how much will actually change for most employers.

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

It just so happens that Jessica wrote a short summary of what the new law means for employers for our [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/2010/03/22/passage-of-health-care-reform-will-change-game-for-employers/"]HR News blog.[/URL] You can read it at [url]http://bit.ly/cQjdjz[/url]


Celeste

Paul in Cannon Beach

Good article, Celeste. Thanks for the link.

We are evaluating the impact. While I support the idea of reforming our health care system, I am not convinced this is the plan that will do it. I still feel like I have more questions than answers.

Probably my biggest question relates to the penalties that can be assessed to employers who do not provide health insurance and what exactly that means.

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

Here is another link I found:

[URL]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/?hpid=topnews[/URL]

It is a simple calculator from the Washington Post that tells you how the new law will affect you/your household.

NaeNae55

Cool beans.

cnghr

Very cool!

Paul in Cannon Beach

Here's a question. Do you think there is any form of health care reform that would have broader support?

Is health care reform one of those things we all think we want until we see what it actually looks like?

I'd like to see tort reform. That would help reign in some of the expenses that drive up the cost of health care.

I would also like to see subsidies to make medical school more affordable. We have a shortage of trained doctors and RNs. Simple supply and demand would indicate that if we have more trained medical providers available, the cost of their services would decrease.

plynnl

Apparently from a news coverage last night there is a huge shortage of family practice physicians and a waiting list for their services.

NaeNae55

Family practice physicians don't make very much when you consider the hours and the time and cost of education. That's why so many specialize.

We hear a lot about the cost of insurance and the cost of health care, but the fact is that many providers are forced into long days with lots of quick-look patients in order to survive. Short patient visits result in more error which results in more lawsuits which result in higher liability insurance which results in.....

Sharon McKnight SPHR

I was at the doctor, an excellent physician who has been my family doctor for twenty years, just yesterday and discussing this very issue. He has 5 employees and can no longer afford to provide them with health insurance. His liability insurance is overwhelming. This is not a man who lives in the ritziest part of town or drives an expensive vehicle. He is a small employer trying to do the best he can for his employees and struggling every day.

Sharon