Cost Are Rising? Groundbreaking.

I am really getting tired of reports indicating that health care costs are on the rise. It is kind of like saying this summer’s hottest trend will be swimsuits. But yet again, another report has been released (you know who you are) stating that health-care cost increases continue to outpace other business cost increases as well as the consumer price index.  Groundbreaking study.

Where are the reports on trends in cost-containment or innovative benefit strategies?  How about a study on the trends within small to medium sized employers or recommendations from businesses to reduce costs?  As an industry, we tend to state the obvious far too much.  Unless a study reveals that costs have actually gone down, why on earth report the findings?  Especially if the report does not offer any solutions to reverse the trend. 

To my colleagues in the benefits world, for the love of god, please stop stating the obvious.  Otherwise we will all have to get new jobs in new fields where these skills are embraced.  By the way, it is currently 18°C and partly cloudy in Toronto with light winds coming from the West and as the sun sets, I expect it will get cooler.