The big three will soon be the not-so-big three, expecially if their legacy health care cost problem is not resolved soon. I’m referring to the domestic US auto industry, where legacy health care costs have been crippling GM Ford and Chrysler for years. And the worst is yet to come.
Chairmen of all three stopped into the White House to plead their case yesterday, and were met with the usual “we’ll get right on studying that problem.”
One of the more interesting proposals advanced by the auto chairs is a reinsurance pool to cover catastrophic claims.
And even more interestig was the hopeful tone struck by GM’s Rick Wagoner when he noted that the new Democratic majority appears interested in helping employers struggling with health care costs.
What does this mean for you?
When big manufacturers get behind major changes to the US health care system, we’re closer to finally attacking the problem.
Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda