EMPLOYERS EXPECT TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL 175 MILLION ON HEALTH COVERAGE NEXT YEAR

A LEADING BAY STATE BUSINESS GROUP ESTIMATES EMPLOYERS WILL SPEND AN ADDITIONAL 175-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT YEAR AS EMPLOYEES FACE MANDATORY HEALTH COVERAGE.

MASSACHUSETTS TAXPAYERS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT MICHAEL WIDMER SAYS ROUGHLY 50-THOUSAND WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY DECLINED EMPLOYER SPONSORED INSURANCE WILL SIGN UP NOW THAT INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.The report highlights the fact that employers are an absolutely critical part of health care reform and are doing their fair share in the broadest possible use of that term.

SOME CONSUMER GROUPS AND LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE STILL CONCERNED THAT EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER MINIMAL OR NO HEALTH INSURANCE AREN'T DOING THEIR FAIR SHARE TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE.