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Redesigning the Medicare benefit package: defined benefits or defined contributions?

Article Abstract:

Medicare, the government-run health plan which benefits even the average citizen, is a concept whose time has come and gone. The plan's funds, which are deducted from the salaries of members, are becoming increasingly insufficient with the rising cost of providing medical services. This dilemma has led to the proposition of converting the plan's funding to a defined contributions system where the members' contributions will be used to buy coverage from health maintenance organizations.

Administration of Public Health Programs, Health Care Services, Medicare B, Medicare A, Analysis, Evaluation, Medical care, Defined benefit plans, Medicare, Defined contribution plans

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Joint-labor management committees can solve the health care puzzle

Article Abstract:

Health care administrators incur expenses which increase annually. Health care accounts for 12.2% of the US GNP, the highest worldwide. However, 87 million Americans still lack or have inadequate health insurance. One way to control medical care expenses is through the formation of joint health care committees. Studies indicate that 54% of 181 surveyed health planners form committees and over 60% confirm the success of the method in curtailing medical costs.

Health planning

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Health cash accounts: an alternative to traditional postretirement medical plans

Article Abstract:

Health cash account plans are more flexible than traditional postretirement medical plans. Under health cash account plans, each year eligible employees receive a deposit to a hypothetical account representing yearly deposits and interest credits.

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