Business and health professionals initiative

Business

During World War II, with labor in tight supply and a freeze on wages, employers started providing healthcare benefits as a way to attract employees. Since that time employer-based insurance has formed the primary means of ready access to healthcare. In recent years, with the costs of healthcare escalating, employers have found it necessary to place limits on these benefits. Many small businesses, in order to meet the competition, found it impossible to provide healthcare benefits. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 59 percent of the U.S. population is insured through an employer. With the competition from offshore business interests who do not supply health insurance to their employees, U.S. business is frequently at a significant disadvantage.

The Mennonite Church USA Healthcare Access Initiative had three meetings with Mennonite business leaders to discuss the common problems with the rapidly rising cost of healthcare. One of these meetings was with a local area chamber of commerce. Local Mennonite Economic Development Associates chapters organized the other meetings.

The agenda centered on the present situation in the U.S. healthcare system, including its effect on business. Participants shared their experiences of ways to limit healthcare costs, including incentives for employees to reduce the costs. It was emphasized that business leaders need to become involved in the process of healthcare reform to bring about appropriate changes.

Health professionals

The Mennonite Medical Association (MMedA) counts nearly 500 physicians and dentists in their number.

There are about 400 nurses in the Mennonite Nurses Association. Many other physicians and nurses worship in Mennonite Church USA congregations. One medium-sized congregation has 14 nurses among its members. In addition, there are many other health professionals in related fields, working in hospitals, clinics and public health organizations.

Several meetings were held with local chapters of the MMedA to inform them of the healthcare access program and to hear the thoughts and suggestions of these professionals who are directly impacted by changes in the healthcare.

In the past biennium, Mennonite doctors and nurses served on several of the working committees.

Individually, there are reports of an uncounted number of doctors and nurses who are working in innovative ways to provide healthcare to uninsured persons in their communities. The Mennonite Nurses Association has been active in promoting Congregational Health Ministries in their members’ local communities in a variety of ways. The reports from congregations indicate that health professionals are an integral part of the congregational response to the present crisis in healthcare.