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| McDonald's Health Care Principles |
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| Overview |
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For years, many private-sector companies and government policymakers have recognized the need to reform the U.S. health care system. McDonald's is also concerned and has been working with other stakeholders on an effective solution. As an example, we were among the first organizations to adopt the Four Cornerstones initiatives for the Executive Order on Value Driven Health Care. In addition, McDonald’s actively participates in associations and coalitions, such as the HR Policy Association, the American Benefits Council, and the National Retail Federation, which are developing plans to help resolve the health care challenges that this country faces.
We believe that any resolution must recognize the many challenges that improving this country’s health care system poses—including access to care, improving quality of care, affordability, ease of use, and education. In addition, any solution must support the current voluntary market-based system, in which McDonald's, its owner/operators, and numerous other companies offer health care benefits for their employees.
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| Guiding Principles |
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- McDonald’s recognizes that this country’s health care system needs improvement on many fronts. These include inadequate and inconsistent access to health care, the high cost of health care, the lack of generally accepted quality standards, the complexity in using and understanding the health care system, and the lack of education available on how to use the system appropriately.
- McDonald’s wants to participate in developing a solution. We are a socially responsible company and committed to collaborating on solutions to major social and economic issues. We are eager to continue to share our substantial experience in providing health care benefits to a large and diverse workforce.
- Greater cost-effectiveness must be part of the solution. Rising costs are severely stressing both employer-sponsored and government health care programs. There must be an emphasis on preventive health care, wellness programs, improved treatment outcomes, greater transparency on prices and quality, and simplifying program administration. In addition, we must recognize that all individuals also have a responsibility, and any solution must create tools to educate individuals on areas such as wellness, prevention, and effective use of health care.
- Health care “fixes” should be addressed at the federal level, not piecemeal by states, counties, municipalities, and other local jurisdictions. State and local legislation will simply expand upon the existing patchwork of inconsistent benefits and complex administrative requirements.
January 2008
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