Small businesses passing health cost increases on to workers; employers blame health law for shrinking benefits

Businesses are still trying to sort out many of the issues that come with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The Washington Post: As Rates Soar, Small Business Owners Pass Along More Health Care Costs To Employees
Health insurance costs for small business owners have been rising for more than a decade, and some are concerned the health care law will drive their premiums higher at an even faster clip. Many appear to be coping by passing some of the costs along to their employees (Harrison, 8/28).

CNN Employers Play Obamacare Blame Game
No more health benefits for spouses. Higher deductibles for employees. More cost-sharing. Employers are citing increased costs imposed by the Affordable Care Act -- as Obamacare is formally known -- as part of the reason they are pulling back on benefits. ... UPS and UVa said they are dropping coverage for employees' spouses that have access to benefits elsewhere. Delta said in a letter to administration officials that it will have to pass along some of the rising costs to its employees. While there's no doubt Obamacare comes with increased costs for employers, health reform can only be blamed for a piece of the price hike, experts say (Luhby, 8/29).

CBS News Health Care Is A Priority For Employers In 2014
Not only are companies concerned about health care plans, but they are concerned about actual employee health as well: 60 percent of HR executives cite "lowering overall healthcare costs" and "improving overall employee health" as top priorities for 2014. This shows a continuation of the trend for companies [to] develop and implement "wellness" programs. Thirty four percent of companies are looking to increase participation in already existing healthcare plans (Lucas, 8/28).

San Jose Mercury News/Digital First Media: How 13 Major Companies Have Responded To Obamacare
What effects will Obamacare have on business? With the health insurance exchanges set to launch on Oct. 1, the fight over whether the law is good or bad for business continues. There's still not solid information on either side, but some big-name businesses have weighed in, either through words or actions (Beckwith, 8/28).