Cost at heart of healthcare debate

The business of healthcare will be focused on streamlining and cost containment in 2009, experts predict. Because so many Americans get their medical care through employer-supplied health plans, the industry has been stung by the ongoing recession and is scrambling to stay ahead of its problems. As a result, employers are likely to become more, not less, involved in healthcare policy debates this year, predicted Becky Cherney, chief executive of the Orlando-based Florida Health Care Coalition.