Surveys Gauge Reform Law’s Effect on Businesses, States
About 2% of businesses said they are "very likely" and 6% said they are "likely" to drop health benefits for their employees in 2014 because of the federal health reform law, according to a recent Mercer survey of 894 employers. The survey found that businesses have seen an average increase of about 2% in enrollment as a result of a provision in the overhaul that extended eligibility to dependents younger than age 26. Meanwhile, a Government Accountability Office survey found that the overhaul has provided about $50 million to states to help them monitor rates charged by insurers. About 66% of states that have received such funds have increased their review infrastructure by hiring more staff or investing in information technology, the survey found.
- "Employers Unlikely To Drop Coverage Because of Health Law, Survey Finds" (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 8/2).
- "Little Impact Seen on Premium Increases" (Daly, Modern Healthcare, 8/2).
- "States Strengthen Insurance Hike Oversight" (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 8/4).