Re: Worried About the 'R' Word?

scott t. — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:02:47 GMT

Yes, health care organizations should be worried about the economic struggles. With the current financial woes, every asset of our society should be concerned. Especially, with the rising costs of health care, paying bills is becoming more and more of a problem.

What can be done to help ease the burden on patients?

Worried About the 'R' Word?

Frank Irving — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:38:52 GMT

Should health care organizations and medical practices be worried about consumers unable to pay their bills?

From a broader perspective, should we be concerned that consumers are forgoing care due to payment worries?

Shopping Centers Today (STC) reported that U.S. chain stores recorded their slowest January since 1970, with same-store sales growing 0.5 percent compared to the previous year, according to an index tracked by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Department stores and luxury chains posted the biggest declines in sales growth, at 5.7 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.

Wholesale clubs such as Costco posted the only significant increase in sales growth, at 6.3 percent, the STC report stated.

"Gift cards left over from December failed to buoy [January's] sales as they have in previous years. For example, Wal-Mart executives reported that gift card redemptions were below expectations and that customers are holding gift cards longer and using them to buy food and other consumables instead of discretionary purchases," the STC report said.

“With uncertainty about the economy, and the possibility of a recession, consumers have pared their spending,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC's chief economist and director of research. “Looking forward to February, we expect much of the same, as U.S economic problems do not seem to be dissipating anytime soon.”

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Re: Worried About the 'R' Word?

Worried About the 'R' Word?