Business group urges end of employer-based health care

Here is another article that shows the end of employer based health care system. It makes a lot of good points. It mentions that the rising costs of health insurance premium threaten the growth of the economy. It also mentions that people should have more control over their own health insurance. I did not think that this was even on the radar in the health care debate. I thought that the employer based programs were entrenched in the US health care system. This article is from a business group. It is an interesting read. I don't disagree with the article, but something must be done for those people who might be declined coverage due to health conditions as an individual. The good thing about the employer based model is that everyone qualifies no matter their health condition. Many states are adopting 'high risk pools' for individuals who would not qualify for health insurance on their own. Maybe this is a feasible solution, but it will be a huge shift in the way health care is delivered in America if it happens. Enjoy the article.

Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

Health care costs threaten future economic growth in the U.S. and today's employer-based system is faltering and should be replaced by an insurance system driven by consumer choice, according to a report released Monday.

The report released by the Committee for Economic Development, a non-profit organization of more than 200 business leaders and university presidents, says employer insurance is failing "because of rapid cost increases and the inability to provide high-value care."

Robert Chess, chairman of San Carlos-based Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR), trustee of the Committee for Economic Development (CED) and co-chair of its health-care subcommittee, said, "There are successful models for consumer choice of insurance plans, including the federal employees plan. The CED proposal builds on the best of those ideas and adds some new ones to achieve affordable, sustainable, quality coverage for all Americans."

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2007/10/15/daily14.html