Experts debate impact of healthcare reform on business, economy
Experts debate impact of healthcare reform on business, economy
Written by Kathryn Eakens Friday, 20 November 2009
State and national experts gathered to discuss the possible ramifications of healthcare reform on business and the economy at a luncheon Nov. 19 sponsored by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in partnership with chambers across the Central Texas region and the University of Texas School of Law.
Moderated by Bobby Jenkins, president of ABC Home and Commercial Services and vice chair-elect of membership for the chamber, the event’s panel of experts featured James Rohack, president of the American Medical Association, director of Scott & White Center for Healthcare Policy and practicing cardiologist; Eric Blankmeyer, professor of economics at Texas State University; William Sage, vice provost for health affairs and law professor at the University of Texas; and Ellen Wood, CEO of vcfo, an Austin-based professional services firm.
As congress attempts this policy reform, the one consensus among the panel was that the nation cannot afford to simply sit back and do nothing.
“If we don’t do anything, we spend $2.4 trillion in healthcare. In 10 years, we’re going to double that—and that’s by doing nothing,” Rohack said.
The options for action remain more divisive. Blankmeyer said he believes the debate over a public option hinges on what that option is expected to do.
“To make use of President Obama’s analogy, is the public option just supposed to be like the post office and there if you don’t want to use FedEx or UPS? Or is it supposed to be responsible for a significant chunk of the health insurance business,” Blankmeyer asked. “I have to acknowledge it’s difficult for me to see how the playing field could be leveled with a public option.”
Others, like Sage, believe those opposed to the public option are over thinking.
“The reason we have a public service option is because the public’s honest fear these days is that their experience with health insurers hasn’t been great, and they want to know there will be some place they can get insurance,” Sage said.
The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has gathered a number of resources, including side-by-side information on the house and senate bills and their possible effects, at www.austinchamber.com/TheChamber/AboutTheChamber/healthcarereform.html.
