Executives Concerned Over Health Care Requirements

April 19, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Despite concerns about the impact of rising health care costs on their businesses and employees, only 16.3% of executives say they favor a federally tax-funded universal health care system.

A news release said the 2011 UBA Benefit Opinions Survey found 99.4% of top decisionmakers are concerned with the impact health care costs are having or are going to have on their overall corporate costs. More than 50% said it is a critical concern. Just slightly fewer (97.9%) are also concerned with the impact health care costs are having on their employees, up nearly 20% from three years ago and nearly identical to last year.

Additional findings include:

  • 96.9% of employers still believe a good benefits program helps attract good employees;
  • 93.8% believe good benefits keep employees from leaving;
  • Employers are less prepared to meet the legislative and regulatory requirements placed upon them, and  those requirements are becoming increasingly complex; and
  • Nearly three-quarters of the employers responding felt there is a definite role for the federal government to play regarding health: requiring the disclosure of cost and quality information of hospitals and physicians.

“On an encouraging note, there is a trend of employers implementing wellness and health management strategies that they feel are having a positive impact on chronic conditions and the effectiveness of these programs in general,” according to William Stafford, Vice President, Member Services.

More information is at http://www.ubabenefits.com/Resources/NationalSurveys/tabid/1138/Default.aspx.

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