Reaction to Health Care Ruling Differs by Sectors

Only 2% indicated they will not provide coverage in 2014.   

The International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans’ Supreme Court ACA Decision Reaction Survey found reactions to the court’s decision differ significantly by sectors. The public sector showed the most satisfaction with 59%. The multiemployer (49%) and single-employer/corporation (33%) sectors had lesser degrees of satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Similarly, the workforce reactions by each of the sectors were in line with the sector organizations, but at higher levels of satisfaction: public (67%), multiemployer (55%) and corporate (43%).  

Overall, the results were split when respondents identified which Supreme Court decision would have been most beneficial to their organization.  The data showed 46% felt the best possible decision for their organization would have been the full ACA being thrown out, while 41% said the best decision was the law being upheld. Another 12% of organizations would have liked the individual mandate overturned, but the remainder of the ACA to stay intact.  

Forty-nine percent of the surveyed organizations are shifting their attention to wellness, while 32% are focusing on consumer-driven health plans, 27% will shift costs to employees and 26% will focus on value-based health care (VBHC). 

Most organizations have been keeping current with the legislative aspects of the ACA and some are already prepared for future provisions. Seventy-eight percent indicated they are extremely or very far along in terms of complying with current ACA provisions, and 60% are extremely or very far along with preparing for future ACA provisions.  

“While the research showed that the Court’s decision instilled employers with more confidence, we found that 74% said that the upcoming elections in the fall will impact their willingness to make health care decisions now,” said Julie Stich, the International Foundation’s Director of Research.  

Organizations in states that have already implemented health care exchanges are generally more satisfied with the Supreme Court’s decision (47%, compared to 35% of respondents in states that have not implemented), are more prepared with current provisions (47% vs. 36%) and more likely to continue coverage in 2014 (56% vs. 42%).