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Universal Healthcare Initiative: Overview |
Manufacturing is one of Connecticut’s most vital economic strengths. Unfortunately, the high cost of health insurance is a major impediment to job growth. This is why GrowJobsCT is devoted to working with employers, workers and policymakers to find alternative approaches that will make health care coverage more affordable and accessible and preserve manufacturing jobs.
Our Health Care Initiative is directly linked to GrowJobsCT’s mission of preserving and expanding manufacturing jobs in Connecticut. The cost of health care drives employment decisions by preventing hiring, and discouraging companies from relocating to our state; health care costs are often cited as a major factor for leaving Connecticut. This is why we believe health care is a JOBS issue.
The manufacturing industry employs over 193,000 workers and each manufacturing job creates 1-5 other jobs. Manufacturing jobs are good jobs, with good wages and good benefits. Despite the spiraling cost of health benefits, 75% of Connecticut’s manufacturers provide health benefits, both as “the right thing to do” and as a necessary inducement to attract a qualified workforce. This is becoming a strain as health benefit costs have more than doubled since 1995 and are expected to continue increasing another 10% or more annually. It is particularly difficult for small and medium size manufacturers that employ less than 100 workers and comprise 92% of Connecticut’s manufacturers.
Realizing that reducing costs need to be addressed, we view universal health care as a viable alternative to slashing prevention-based mandates, relying on health savings accounts as a health insurance plan or the shift to “consumer responsibility” that offers no immediate relief. Instead we advocate for protecting of worker’s benefits, while at the same time recognizing the urgent need for employer relief on health care costs. A universal health care system would provide the balance by lowering overall employer costs for health coverage while increasing household income for purposes other than health insurance.
Because GrowJobsCT stands alone, as the only organization working to unite business, labor, community groups and elected representatives on the issue of sustaining manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, we are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap and find more agreement toward the advantages inherent in universal health care as a business solution. By engaging in dialogue and education with business and labor constituents, and conducting research our Health Care Initiative is pursuing new approaches to health care reform. Our goal is to continue the debate and expand the base of support and understanding of the economic benefits of universal health care and bring this information and analysis to policymakers.
The bottom line is that the high costs of health insurance put Connecticut companies at a competitive disadvantage. These uncontained costs strain manufacturers who compete globally. In countries with a universal health system, health costs are not factored into production costs and give competitors a built-in price advantage. Employers that provide health insurance also compete against those who do not. GrowJobsCT will continue to strive for a rational universal health care system to protect workers’ benefits, lower costs for employers, and level the field among competitors to sustain manufacturing.
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