Healthcare reform, corporate-style

In a climate of deepening healthcare woes, more companies are trying to save money by opening work-site medical clinics. Toyota Nissan, Harrah’s Entertainment, and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts are among the converts. In addition, a recent study by benefits-consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide found that 32% of all employers with more than 1,000 workers either have an on-site medical center or plan to build one by 2009. An employer typically comes up with a blueprint of the services it aims to provide to its workers, then it hires an outside firm to manage the project and offers employees a major break on co-pays and other incentives if they use the center. Some companies also reward the use of in-house services by making deposits in the worker’s health savings account.