The latest example of corporate preparations for health law changes

The Wall Street Journal details how the restaurant chain Chili's is preparing for how its bottom line could be impacted by the health overhaul. Even so, The New York Times reports, a consulting firm concludes that current worries about the well-being of private health insurance are "misplaced."

The Wall Street Journal: Chili's Feels Heat To Pare Costs
Chili's acknowledges that many of the changes it is making are being done in preparation for expanded health-care coverage. Chili's says it already provides various health-care packages to part- and full-time employees, and it says it isn't exactly sure what the new law will mean — but it is sure its costs will rise. While the company has been stressing operational efficiency, it has also been able to reduce staff (Jargon, 1/28).

The New York Times Prescriptions Blog: Prospects For Private Health Insurance
One of the major concerns about the new health care law is whether it will usher in the demise of employer-based coverage, which is the source of insurance for the bulk of working Americans today. A new report from Booz & Company, the management consulting firm, suggests that much of the worry that private health insurance will disappear is misplaced (Abelson, 1/27).