Healthcare In Business with Ruth Lycke
With the healthcare reform that was pushed through congress this spring and the recent announcement by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the cost of this reform will top 1 trillion dollars is there any wonder that we doubt what we are told?
“Small businesses” we were assured, would be the “winners” with promises that the government would step in and lower healthcare costs while increasing access to medical services. This causes me to ask two questions: When have new government rules and regulations on business ever improved service? And when have government panels and boards ever decreased business costs?
As the CEO of a growing company I am constantly assessing the cost of doing business. The expense of retaining or replacing employees historically has been one of the more flexible costs of operation. As a business owner I must focus on:
- Cost of salaries and wages
- Current minimum wage
- Full time versus part time employees
- Vacation days
- Sick days
- State benefit requirements
- Tax liability
- State
- Federal
- FICA
- Unemployment Insurance
- Workman’s compensation
- Health Insurance
- Retirement or pension plans
As the head of a healthcare company that serves others I am held to a higher standard. In order to grow my organization and influence I must be constantly aware of the things that motivate or challenge the employees of the businesses that we serve. The healthcare reform bill that was passed and signed into law has caused small and growing businesses to look hard at their choices for the future. The new liabilities and requirements that have been thrust on them in this 2500 page monstrosity has created more confusion and brought more questions than it answered. I was appalled when the speaker of the house suggested that it needed to be passed so we could find out what was in it. Now that it’s law we are still trying to decipher the contents and meaning.
I’ll apologize in advance because my frustration reaches its peak when private sector jobs and businesses are replaced with government jobs, panels and boards. We’ve been told that by 2014, the states must establish Small Business Health Options Programs (SHOP Exchanges) where small businesses can join together to buy insurance. Surprise! You can do this now in the private sector and it doesn’t cost the taxpayer a thing.
I spend each day being concerned with the healthcare challenges that corporate clients and individuals face. I have directed my time to being their healthcare expert so they can focus on their business. I concentrate my energies on patient outcomes, affordability, accessibility and safety, so they don’t have to. Unlike government entities that simply exist and waste tax dollars doing it… I only get paid and obtain more clients if I meet their needs, decrease costs and improve affordability, accessibility and safety. In the months to come I will help you look carefully at the changes and choices you are facing and I will try and help you navigate the healthcare jungle. Next month I will begin a series on Healthcare in Business and we welcome your opinions and questions.
For more information, please visit Ruth's TNNWC Bio.
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