Massachusetts Governor Hiking Taxes To Rescue Failed Health Reform

(A version of this column was published by Forbes.)

Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts has proposed a tax of $2,000 per worker on businesses which do not offer health coverage to employees who become dependent on Medicaid. This makes him the second Republican governor of Massachusetts to buy into the notion that imposing taxes (or fines or penalties or fees) on individuals and businesses can force them to accept responsibility for government failure at getting health spending under control.

Evidence from Massachusetts and the nation shows the opposite is true. Yesterday, I testified on the effect of Obamacare’s individual mandate before the Oversight Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee. (The video is at this link, and my written testimony is at this link.)

Are Employers Who Dump Workers Onto Medicaid Corporate Welfare Queens?

There have been a lot of predictions about the future of employer-based health benefits under Obamacare. Reports suggest that increasing numbers of small businesses are dropping health benefits and sending their employees to Obamacare’s insurance exchanges, where they are partially subsidized.

Other businesses have found a bigger cost-shifting approach. BeneStream, a new benefits advisor, advises employers how to make their workers dependent on Medicaid, a welfare program fully funded by taxpayers. And businesses are taking advantage of its advice.

So: Are these employers corporate welfare queens?

Read the entire column at NCPA's Health Policy Blog.

Employer Health Costs Rising Slowly? Some Many Not Be Offering Obamacare's Minimum Benefits

Yesterday, we discussed the slow rate of growth of premiums in employer-based plans. Today, Kaiser Health News reported a surprising discovery: Some employers who assert they are offering benefits may not be. Indeed, their plans may not even offer hospitalization benefits.

Read the entire column at NCPA's Health Policy Blog.

Mid-Atlantic Employers Cut Benefits: Obamacare To Blame

Yesterday, we discussed the New York Fed’s survey of employers in its region, in which they blamed Obamacare for raising health insurance premiums 10 percent.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has just released a similar survey, with similar results.

Read the entire column at the NCPA Health Policy Blog.

New York Employers: Health Costs Up 10 Percent, Obamacare To Blame

The New York Fed has published the results of its latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey and Business Leaders Survey (which covers both manufacturing and services). It’s devastating news for Obamacare. Business leaders expect health costs to rise ten percent next year. About 73 percent (almost three quarters) of the business leaders blamed Obamacare for some of the increase.

Read the entire column at NCPA's Health Policy Blog.

Obamacare's Employer-Mandate Delay is A Headache, Not A Relief

On July 2, 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it would delay collecting taxes due to Obamacare’s employer-mandate by one year. Although greeted as a relief by many, the move actually raises two significant problems for businesses and taxpayers during Obamacare’s roll-out.

First, the delay implies that Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores of government health spending will become even less realistic than they currently are. Second, employers who take advantage of the delay will be on very shaky legal grounds.

Read the entire column at Forbes, here.

Next Step for Health Freedom: How about a Constitutional Amendment? - John R. Graham - Critical Condition on National Review Online

Next Step for Health Freedom: How about a Constitutional Amendment? - John R. Graham - Critical Condition on National Review Online

An Incredibly Out of Control Health Bill - John R. Graham - Critical Condition on National Review Online

An Incredibly Out of Control Health Bill - John R. Graham - Critical Condition on National Review Online