A variation on the company doctor is emerging at big companies across the country, where businesses are sponsoring on-site medical centers to provide employees with free or low-cost healthcare.
In Oxnard, Calif., for instance, a large berry grower that employees scores of migrant and other workers adopted the approach at the start of the year.
Reiter Affiliated Companies canceled its more expensive health insurance to set up its own clinics. The move is a new twist on healthcare delivery that companies hope will save on costs and increase productivity.
“My personal belief is a happy employee is a healthy employee,” said Reiter’s Kryz Novotnaj, the man responsible for implementing and managing the clinics. He expects to see less stress, more productivity and better morale among employees.