They were told the same lies the rest of us were!
"Businesses rip healthcare proposal; Trade group declares higher costs will lead to dropped coverage" by Kay Lazar, Globe Staff | August 12, 2008
Businesses are balking at a proposed state regulation that, a leading retail group says, will force small companies to spend thousand of dollars more in health insurance for their workers, and could lead many employers to drop coverage altogether.
Proposed rules, issued yesterday by Governor Deval Patrick's administration, are intended to help close a gap in funding the landmark healthcare law. The new regulations would require employers to meet both requirements, or pay the penalty.
"I think there is going to be a revolt over this," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, a trade group with 3,000 members. "This is tough economic times, and I don't think they fully understand how many small businesses are going to be hit hard by this."
Rick Lord, president and chief executive of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, said employers are already paying more than their fair share to fund the state's near-universal health system - an additional $500 million a year to cover 85,000 more workers since the new healthcare law went into effect. He said members of his organization, the state's largest business trade group, would lobby the Patrick administration against the proposed changes.
But Health Care for All, one of the state's largest consumer groups, applauded the proposals. Brian Rosman, the group's research director, said consumers were required this year to pay higher premiums and deductibles to help cover the funding shortfall.
"We think this implements the shared responsibility concept that was the hallmark of healthcare reform," he said. "It makes sense to us to say to companies that offer minimal or no benefits, 'You have to make a small contribution.' "
Translation: Everybody loots everybody in this state!
When the healthcare law was signed two years ago, the Legislature estimated the "fair share" penalty on businesses would bring in $45 million in the first year and $36 million in the fiscal year that just ended. But the state collected no payments the first year, and state officials said employers made penalty payments of only about $7 million in the past year.
Yeah, that'll give you a deficit all right!
Yup, government gets involved and watch things turn to shit!
Healthcare costs are expected to rise more than 10 percent into next year, according to a survey of insurers by Aon Consulting Worldwide.
But that increase is the smallest Aon has seen in six years. Experts say it shows efforts to tame costs, such as employee-wellness or disease-management programs, may be paying off.
Or cost cutting and adding to the uninsured rolls helped!
But the percentage likely won't be what the average employee faces for a premium hike next year. It doesn't reflect insurance plan designs or changes an employer might make to benefits plans.
Translation: You are still going to get screwed with higher premiums, workers!!!
If you have health care at all.
Many employers have started researching their benefit options for 2009. Consultants say it's too early for predictions on next year's healthcare plan costs.
Costs are still rising to keep up with growing patient demand for services, the needs of an aging population, and prescription drug and technology costs, according to Aon Consulting, a subsidiary of Aon Corp.
Overuse and misuse of services and an "out-of-control medical liability system" also contribute to increases, said Robert Zirkelbach of America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association representing nearly 1,300 insurers. Zirkelbach said health insurers have offered disease-management programs and encouraged the use of cheaper generic drugs to help contain costs.
Employer wellness programs also have played a role, Sharon said. He noted that doctors, hospitals, and employers all have worked to curb costs.
"When costs go up as great as this, there's a lot of market pressure brought to bear on all of the parts of the market to bring those costs down, and I think that's what's been happening over the last six years or so," he said.
Trillions for wars, billions for.... awwww, forget it!!!!
Aon Consulting has forecast a steady decline in cost increases since 2002. But Sharon said this decline has grown smaller the past few years, a sign the reductions may be bottoming out.
--more--"
Which means costs are due to zoom, right?
