Major employers considering dropping health coverage for employees?

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by burlesontiger, May 6, 2010.

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  1. burlesontiger

    burlesontiger Founding Member

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    Some numbers are starting to take shape in the wake of the health care reform package.

    Documents reveal AT&T, Verizon, others, thought about dropping employer-sponsored benefits

    Based on this article is saying, it looks like the "public option" may become a reality after all, if formerly covered employees are forced to go to the exchanges for coverage.
     
    burlesontiger, May 6, 2010
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  2. Krypto

    Krypto Huh?

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    no surprise there
     
    Krypto, May 6, 2010
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  3. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

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    That was the plan all along.

    Now watch for the administration to vilify these corporations but doing nothing to force any alterate course of action. They want them to opt out.
     
    SabanFan, May 6, 2010
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  4. LaSalleAve

    LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

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    I agree with you, about that being the plan all along, but its not hard to vilify a villain.
     
    LaSalleAve, May 6, 2010
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  5. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

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    So all big corporations are dishonest? And all blacks are great basketball players.
     
    SabanFan, May 6, 2010
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    1 person likes this.
  6. LaSalleAve

    LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

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    Yes, and no.
     
    LaSalleAve, May 6, 2010
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  7. burlesontiger

    burlesontiger Founding Member

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    I wonder what other effects of this will be. For example, I work for one of these large corporations (not one listed in the article) and one of my primary reasons for staying there is the health coverage. Without that, many of them may find themselves in increasing competition with smaller companies for skilled workers. I certainly would rather work for a smaller company, but the health benefits have been something that they just couldn't compare with.

    If this actually happens and most major corps drop health coverage, could there be a large employment "shift"?
     
    burlesontiger, May 6, 2010
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  8. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Benefits, pensions, options, and perks are part of the total package and all have to be considered by employees. Companies that drop benefits lose one competitive battle right off the bat. This is why there will not be a precipitous rush to drop benefits. They all want to see what their sectors are doing and stay competitive.

    Secure benefits is one reason that governments can keep senior employees, who can get much higher raw salaries in the private sector . . . those benefits weigh into the total package. Many thoughtful people choose security over wealth potential. It works that way in industry, too.

    Some companies with a young, high-turnover workforce may not think benefits help them attract and retain good people. But other companies that are highly dependent on dependable, experienced senior personnel are going to have to offer the kind of benefits and perks that offer security to older people with families and who have marketable skills.

    I think trouble will ensue if the big corporations decide to provide benefits for executives but not for workers.
     
    red55, May 6, 2010
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  9. mctiger

    mctiger RIP, and thanks for the music Staff Member

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    You mean all of those paranoid "tea baggers" who warned that this was going to happen were right? Hmmm......
     
    mctiger, May 6, 2010
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  10. gumborue

    gumborue Throwin Ched

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    thank god. this is part of the reason for escalating costs.
     
    gumborue, May 6, 2010
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