Employers Unsure What to Do Following Health Care Reform

However, many of today’s employers (41%) aren’t sure what they will do regarding medical benefits should legislation pass, a press release said. Thirty percent of those that do offer medical coverage expect their health benefits to remain unchanged, while 39% of those employers who do not currently offer medical coverage are not anticipating offering that benefit.

Three-quarters of employers strongly agree that employees consider health insurance a critical component of a compensation package. Virtually all (96%) also say promoting a culture of health and wellness for employees is important.

While 36% of employers are unsure about what they will do regarding non-medical benefits like life insurance, disability income protection, and dental benefits, should legislation pass, 44% of those that offer these benefits anticipate that they will make no changes to them. Only 5% of employers who offer these benefits say they would consider reducing them.

As for where they obtain information about health care reform legislation, 56% of employers cite traditional media outlets (TV, radio, newspapers and magazines) as preferred sources. However, more than half (57%) of larger employers (500 or more employees) are also turning to their benefits brokers or consultants for information, more so than to business media (42%), general audience media (37%), or industry publications (32%).

Consumer Thoughts on Health Care Reform

According to new research from MetLife, 75% of individuals report paying close attention to health care legislation developments. Among generations, 83% of Baby Boomers and 74% of Generation Y individuals say they are closely following reform developments, compared to 63% of Generation X.

More than eight-in-ten (85%) individuals said they get their information on legislation developments through traditional media outlets (TV, radio, newspapers and magazines).

A MetLife press release said its survey found levels of satisfaction with current medical benefits impact Americans’ attitudes toward health care reform. More than six-in-ten (62%) Americans without any medical insurance feel that health care reform will be "good for America," contrasted with 42% of those with medical insurance (see IMHO: Health “Care”). Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Generation Y individuals believe that health care reform will impact them favorably, but only 44% are satisfied with their current medical insurance. On the other hand, while only 34% of Boomers believe that health care reform will have a positive impact on them personally, 63% say they are satisfied with their current medical coverage.

The survey indicates attitudes toward health care reform also correspond to health status. According to the press release, 65% of individuals surveyed who assess their health as fair or poor say that health care reform will have a positive impact on them and their families, contrasted to 28% of those who say their health is very good or excellent.

The MetLife Study of Employer/Consumer Attitudes on Health Care Reform surveyed 501 benefits decision-makers at companies with ten or more employees, representing a mix of industries and geographic regions, and 701 consumers between the ages of 21 and 65 between November 2 and November 22, 2009.