Big Brother?

Or just honest care for less money? The Detroit News reports: Toyota's health cost cure: A clinic at the plant site. How screwed up are we that have to doubt absolutely everything that happens? Everywhere. All the time.

Detroit's automakers are not the only ones grappling with soaring health-care costs. They are becoming an issue for Toyota Motor Corp., as well, as the Japanese giant expands its U.S. manufacturing operations and work force.

"Our health care costs have doubled over the past five years," to more than $11,000 a year per U.S. plant worker, said Ford Brewer, assistant general manager for health and wellness at Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters.

In designing its newest plant, in San Antonio, Toyota is trying to tackle the problem by building a clinic at the factory to provide a wider array of treatments and services than a typical factory medical office.

We have to admit, it sounds pretty sweet: Doctors will be given ample time to talk to patients rather than the HMO-shuffle that most of us are currently left with.

So, is Toyota doing this with its employees' good health in mind or are they only doing it for the bottom line?

Comments

[Jay]

A little of both. A corporate run medical office will be cheaper for the parent company. Also, if it works like the one I used to go to at the trucking company's main office, employees will be able to have co-pays and perscriptions payroll deducted.