GCEGH Featured in the Cincinnati Business Courier

The article explains that GCEGH emerged from a collaboration of regional companies aiming to give employers a voice in influencing positive change in healthcare. With the support of a grant from the National Alliance for Healthcare Purchasers, we've focused on addressing the needs of employers in healthcare. The Cincinnati Business Courier clarifies that “[GCEGH] ​​goal is to improve the quality, cost, and access to health care through advocacy, education, and collaboration with providers and payers”.

​

​

Jeff Walton, President of GCEGH and human resource director at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, emphasizes the importance of collaboration among like-minded individuals to address healthcare challenges effectively. He says “We’re educating ourselves, learning from each other, and creating continuous collaborations with these key organizations in our region to learn how they do what they do".

​

​

Karen Muller, member of GCEGH and Vice President of Hub Horan, notes that rising healthcare costs are a significant concern for employers in recruiting and retaining talent. She highlights the ongoing trend of healthcare expenses accelerating at a higher rate than employee pay increases. Jeff Walton believes that “Many employers are forced to pass on the rising cost of health care to their employees based on how the plans are structured in higher deductibles or the cost of the premiums that come out of your pay-check”. 

​

​

Eric Neuville, an early member of GCEGH and founder & CEO of Front Edge Consulting, stresses the importance of employers working together to find solutions to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. He acknowledges the lack of communication between employers and healthcare providers in the Cincinnati marketplace and aims to “provide a forum for positive change” with GCEGH. 

​

​

GCEGH contributors, including companies like P&G, Belcan, and the Cincinnati Zoo, have been crucial in driving discussions and solutions. Meeting every other week from 7.30-9.30 A.M. has facilitated conversations with major health systems on understanding challenges together. 

​

​

Karen Mueller emphasizes the importance of employer involvement in solving healthcare challenges from an employee perspective. She concludes by inviting anyone interested to join the table, as the group is currently seeking more contributors to engage in the discussion.