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Cost Shifting Undermines Health System

A decline in employer-based health insurance coverage is a key reason for the current instability in New Hampshire's health care system.

That's why it's so important for SEA members to continue to stand firm when faced with management calls for givebacks on our health plan.

"It has become clear that a new dynamic is at work in the health care system, brought on by a decline in employer-based coverage and a sustained increase in health care costs," reads "Stepping Up to the Future, A Healthier Health Care System for New Hampshire,"  * released on March 7 by the Endowment for Health.

 Maintain Coverage

Here is a key solution recommended by a panel of doctors, political leaders, business people and citizens.

"We must work to maintain the health insurance coverage people already have and to keep the cost of care and insurance premiums under control."

The vision of the Citizens Roundtable on Health Costs and Coverage, which prepared the report, is remarkably similar to SEA's reasons for rejecting a state proposal that would simply shift costs to insured individuals.

Panel members described the "pillars" of revenues that support the health care system. A major pillar is people who are insured. Medicaid and Medicare are two more pillars which "often pay less than the cost of providing the care their patients receive and are also not carrying their full load."

 Protecting Public Services

An attack on state employee health coverage works hand in hand with attacks on public services. The report recommends that the state avoid cuts in Medicaid and the N.H. Healthy Kids program.

"Such cuts would cause more people to lose public coverage, shift costs to the public sector, and destabilize safety net providers," the report warns.

SEA has long led the defense of public services. Our stance against health care givebacks is an important part of that effort.

* Note:
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