Before hiking workers' healthcare costs, employers should demand hospital efficiency first

With employer health-benefit costs projected to rise about 6.7% in 2026, Fortune argues that before asking workers to pay more, large employers should press hospitals to show they’re using current capacity efficiently rather than simply expanding capacity. The piece cites real-world gains from better patient-flow management—Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center reportedly saved about $137 million annually by reorganizing capacity, while The Ottawa Hospital observed fewer deaths and about $9 million in annual savings—demonstrating that scheduling, capacity, and patient flow are operational questions that can curb inflation without compromising care.