To remain economically sound a business must constantly look for
ways to decrease operating costs (Longobardo,
2013). The cost of providing health care to employees is one of the largest
expenditures for most organizations (Gomez-
Mejia, Balkin, & Cardy, 2012). Cost containment for health insurance
purchases for employees is necessary for the economic survival of a company
(Longobardo, 2013). The issue of
providing health care that is affordable for everyone is much more complex then
providing fines for individuals that have negative health behaviors (Nash,
Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). Research has demonstrated that organizations
that have incentive based programs to promote healthy behaviors consistently
demonstrate a twenty-five percent decrease in health care cost (Nash,
Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). Business that offer higher deductable plans
for employees that engage in unhealthful behavior often see a increase in
long-term health cost over time (Nash, Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). One
explanation for this phenomena is that employees that already have risky health
behavior fail to use preventive health care due to the higher deductable (Nash,
Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011).
Health care cost containment has become a national crisis (Nash,
Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). If we like it or not the health of every
individual United States citizen has an economic consequence for the remaining
members of society (Nash, Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). Despite government
and business trying to control the cost of health care the cost continues to
rise every year (Nash, Reifsnyder, & Pracilio, 2011). The greatest portion
of the national debt is related to the cost of health care (Nash, Reifsnyder,
& Pracilio, 2011). The affordable care act will require business to provide
health insurance for full time employees next year (Gomez- Mejia, Balkin, &
Cardy, 2012). This may cause business to have to reduce full time staff. This
could cause a further havoc of an already shaky world market. To not believe
that we are all connected as individuals is naïve.
God gave us clear instructions on how to live healthy lives in the
Bible. He made it clear that health was of great value “Beloved I wish above
all things though may prosper and be in health “(3 John: 2). Changing society
behavior as a whole is the only way to prevent many illness. The Bible gives
clear instruction on healthful living. During the early parts of American
history the puritans were one of the first generations to live long enough to
see their grandchildren. The reason for this was that they live many Biblical
principles of clean living. One reason that we are heading to economic disaster
in the United States is because we are moving away from the law God gave us to
live healthy lives together.
Part of my job as a nursing supervisor is to help individuals to
obtain affordable health care. Many individuals use the emergency room as a
primary care physician because of lack of accesses to primary care doctor. The
individuals using the emergency room have no ability to pay medical bills while
at the hospital. Many work low paying jobs and do not qualify for subsidizes
but, do not make enough money to pay for health insurance with an affordable
deductable from the government sponsored health sites. To Cobra health
insurance to improve job prospects is almost impossible. The average per person
per month to Cobra insurance is around $900 dollars a month. When people do not
pay their hospital bills everyone pays with higher health care cost and tax
dollars. At this time affordable quality health care is not something that is
attainable for all citizens. Society as a whole must promote preventive health
measures that improve health. People spend a great deal of their life at work
therefore business organizations do have the ability to greatly influence the
health of their employees.
References
