Search
 

Elevating the Debate on Health

Will desperation in Corporate America finally spur health reform?

By Robert Rosenberg | Updated on August 01, 2006

A lot has changed since a former chairman of General Motors Corp. once declared, “What’s good for GM is good for America.” These days it might be more accurate to say, “What ails GM, ails America.” And what’s ailing GM, CEO G. Richard Wagoner Jr. recently told the Senate Special Committee on Aging, is the skyrocketing cost to employers to provide employees and retirees with healthcare.

But while that’s a familiar tune to Congress and the nation at this point, Wagoner took the unusual step in his recent testimony of endorsing a possible course of action that emphasizes fitness, wellness and disease prevention programs. While acknowledging that there is no single solution for reducing costs and improving quality and outcomes, the GM chief executive outlined an approach that essentially would divide the problem for policymakers into potentially easier-to-address segments: First, there needs to be a plan for managing and cutting costs for the 1% of the population with chronic and serious illnesses that accounts for some 30% of total healthcare spending, and then second, there needs to be an approach to health policy for the remaining 99% that would essentially keep them healthier and less likely to tumble into the abyss in which the other 1% operates.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.