We Are Not Alone - Global Concerns on Health Costs

Looks like everybody is becoming increasingly concerned about rising healthcare costs...

Gurinder Shahi


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The New York Times
February 10, 2008

The Count
Going Global With Concerns on Health Costs
By PHYLLIS KORKKI

The United States has long been an unusual study in medical care, with employers assuming much of the cost. Now, though, as the employers say “enough,” calls are deepening for the government to take on more of that role through nationalized health care.

The opposite situation is unfolding in other parts of the world. As long-running national health systems become overburdened, more employers are paying for workers’ supplemental health care costs.

In countries like India, China and Russia, in fact, health care is the No. 1 benefit desired by workers, said Francis Coleman, senior international consultant with Watson Wyatt, which recently conducted a survey on the subject.

Employers across the globe are projecting big year-over-year increases in their medical costs, the survey of medical insurers shows. In many cases, costs are rising faster than the inflation rate.

It’s a sign that the United States is far from alone in its hand-wringing over health care.