By Nathaniel Luce
Publication: CITY PAPER
Like anywhere in the U.S., the effect of health care reform will be mixed — extending insurance coverage to many while resulting in increased taxes for others.
Other commercial insurers are likely net losers, given new industry taxes, an increase in customers with greater health risks and constraints on their ability to raise rates, said JON LEHMAN, associate dean for health care management at Vanderbilt University. Pharmaceutical companies, device makers and some other traditionally “non-Nashville” segments also face a somewhat negative effect.
But for the most part, Lehman thinks most companies will do all right.
“It’s still a huge market, and the underlying demographics are strong to drive growth,” he said. “So I don’t think that anyone is going to the poor house on this.”
According to most estimates, some 32 million uninsured people will have coverage upon full implementation of the new law. That leaves only about 5 percent of Americans uninsured.
