Unions and management are split on health care

Although labor and management in St. Louis agree that the health care system should be reformed, they disagree on the nature and pace of change, according to a survey commissioned by Group Health Plan, an HMO in St. Louis, with 98,000 enrollees.

The survey of 50 labor leaders and 58 human resources executives and benefits administrators at 47 of St. Louis' largest employers found that labor favors completely rebuilding the present health care system by more than a two-to-one ratio over management.

Three out of five labor respondents say sweeping changes should be made over a short time. By contrast, three out of four managers say change should be introduced in stages.

Seventy percent of management respondents say the present health care system is satisfactory, while only 35% of labor respondents agree. Asked whether they would agree to a system of vouchers and tax deductions, 42% of the manager respondents say vouchers and tax deductions will help families purchase coverage. Only 23% of labor representatives say vouchers and tax deductions will help families purchase coverage.

Three out of four labor respondents support a comprehensive government health insurance program, and two out of three endorse a "play or pay" funding system.

Management is less supportive of universal health care under government supervision and "play or pay" into a public fund.

Three out of four managers are opposed to national health insurance, and three in five are against a "play or pay" system, the survey says.

Labor respondents say changes in benefit plans requiring employees to pay higher deductibles and copayments are "unacceptable."

COPYRIGHT 1992 A Thomson Healthcare Company
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group