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Sunday, July 26, 2009
Does The Safeway Grocery Chain hold the key to Healthcare Reform?
After incurring astronomical healthcare expenses, the Safeway grocery store chain decided to tackle the healthcare issue on its own. The result was Safeway's "Healthy Measures" program, which is voluntary. Employees are tested for smoking, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Every area they "pass" results in a reduction in their premium, of as much as $1,560 for a family, a year. Those who fail but prove progress can get refunds. Safeway complements this with an intense culture of health: weight-loss tips, fitness competitions and smoking cessation programs. Bottom line, employees have incentive and are rewarded by taking an active role in their health and healthcare decison making. Should this be the model for the rest of the country???
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8 comments:
My husbands employer, Stew Leonards also has this type of Wellness Program. Our health insurance is excellent through Aetna too. Unfortunately, the present plan put on the table by the President is not one I am in favor of. After reviewing it and reading it, it is not one that would work for me. Having a rare disease with no protocal only experimental drugs, I would be somebody who would be at risk of not recieving services I would drastically need. I am not willing at this time to bet my life on that for a plan that is not well thought out, rushed, and costing a lot of money. Health care is worth looking at, but needs to be well thought out.
Point well taken!! Although I do think there should be a mechanism in place where "rewards" are given to those individuals who are making an effort with a healthy lifestyle. Ex. a lower monthly premium.
Let's play out health insurance as it currently is in the US: Preterm births costs $26 BILLION in 2005 in the US. The US ranks 30th in 2005 in infant mortality. It took me a few minutes - but take that figure in!! That's behind almost every other industrial nation; we're behind Cuba, Hungary and Poland. I think we should shutter and then begin to really re-think our health care system. Many other countries have comprehensive health care - why can't we?
Why in our industrial US world are 1 in 8 births preterm?? Studies have been focused on the babies -- but a new one focused on the mother. Guess what? The mothers are under-insured (if at all) and consequently unhealthy even before they are pregnant - eg., hypertension, sickle-cell disease, uncontrolled heart problems. Some form of health insurance available to all would help. I can hear the naysayers already: not everyone would take advantage. And, I agree but shouldn't we all have that choice? By not having it - we're still all paying. $26 billion is not chump change yet that is just a drop in the bucket for what we're paying to keep Americans unhealthy. I'd much rather use that $26 billion to start up some affordable health insurance so that everyone can be covered - if they so choose. And then I'm all for Safeway's plan of offering discounts for measured achievements. There should be no penalty for conditions and disorders that are beyond one's control -- but what about the ones we can control: smoking, weight, excercise? Why not offer a motivator or reward?? Afterall in the long run it helps the individual, as well as the world (less diseases caused by the bad habit).
I agree that this requires thought - but we've been talking about this since Hilary Clinton/ It's time to try something b/c what we've got doesn't work. - Reb
Here's the thing:
10% of all healthcare costs are directly correlated to obesity. This is something that is (for the most part) PREVENTABLE. I'm all for incentives and rewards for people that make an effort. With childhood obesity drastically rising...that 10% will only increase each year. All of us will pick up the tab.
As far as preterm births and their costs, it's a major probelm in the US. I think lack of a healthy lifestyle and poor priorities with regards to prenatal care are the issue. Can't blame income because low income individuals have access to some of THE BEST healthcare plans available a little or no cost to them. At times, I believe this is taken advantage of and taken for granted. I'm a strong advocate of personal accountability. I also believe there should be some contingencies for people on public assistance.
Hippy Chick - I like what you said. There is a TIME article on preterm birth - and interestingly, the problem w/ premeterm births is that it doesn't seem to be related to prenatal care (although I'm sure it has an effect); the main problem is the poor health condition of the moms (even before they are pregnant).
But your point is still on target - it is a matter of poor choices and misdirected priorities. Yes, some low income candidates have access to great health care, but may not take full advantage. This might be an education discrepency too - individuals not knowing of all the options and/or a lack of confidence to be one's own advocate. That is probably worth looking into.
Plus, having witnessed in different ways the public options -- the red tape is mind boggling and enough to prevent someone from seeking all the public assistance out there. In fact, it can become a full time job. In fact, just dealing w/ my own health insurance carrier (blue cross) can be frustrating and time consuming. I think the "roll out" of public health care needs to be more user friendly and take into consideration that many people using it don't know to ask for things, don't have much health-care knowledge, and/or don't even know there are options to further help them in their health related needs - e.g,. nutritionist, etc. - Reb
Reb...
The lower income population may be savvier (sp?)than you think. Most are familiar with the programs available and know how to navigate around the system. These gov't funded programs are heavily promoted. I'm not trying to sound pessimistic/disgruntled but I've seen it first hand for many years.
Judy
Okay Judy --- I know many do "play the system". Having worked quite a bit w/ Sect.8 and evictions -- I too have seen the abuse first hand.
However, doesn't mean that they still don't make poor choices - even in the use of their benefits. I think many may take advantage of the benefits to an extent- but not in a way that actually helps faciliate better health. Plus, if a person is not educated and using other resources (e.g., the internet) they may not even know about asking about alternative treatments or other methods for improving medical conditions, etc.
I think it is a vicious cycle. I'm not sure where it starts -but poverty seems to be a main player and from there you have limited life choices, little education... and this all just feeds into more poverty..... ugh!!
And then you have all the others that make it out of the poverty cycle and make such great changes for our world. --- Reb
I think we should continue our friendly debate over cocktails.
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