Health Insurance Reform: More small businesses are offering health benefits to workers

[DrToast]

Major insurers around the country are reporting that a growing number of small businesses are signing up to give their workers health benefits, a sign of potential progress for the nation's battered healthcare system.

The increase, although not universal, has brought new security to thousands of workers, many of whom did not have insurance or were at risk of losing it.

An important selling point has been a tax credit that the nation's new healthcare law provides to companies with fewer than 25 employees and moderate-to-low pay scales to help offset the cost of providing benefits. The tax credit is one of the first few provisions to kick in; much of the law rolls out over the next few years.

"We certainly did not expect to see this in this economy," said Gary Claxton, who oversees an annual survey of employer health plans for the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. "It's surprising."

For insurers, the market presents a big opportunity. Nationally, three-quarters of businesses with 10 to 24 workers offer benefits. About half of those with three to nine employees provide health plans. By comparison, 99% of firms with more than 200 employees offer benefits.

Now some insurers are reporting significant jumps in coverage.

(more)

The reform may not have been perfect, but it is helping a lot of people.

[Clio the Leo]

1. you dont say.

;)

[OHdem10]

2. Just yesterday Fox had piece of Repealing Health Care during

Cavuto show. There therme, Small Businesses cannot
afford it. Besides it is one big redistribution from
one group to another group. "Besides we do not want
to pay for it." The guy substituting for Cavuto kept
saying "We do not want to pay for it". At least
he was being truthful. They also had Blackburn, from
Tennessee who said one of the first orders of business
in the new Congress--Begin the repeal of Health care.
by not appropriating funds for the implementation.
Yep they are Regular Scrooges.

[jenmito]

3. You don't say!

:hi: Clio!

[Cant trust em]

4. How 'bout that. nt

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. It is helping a lot of people, namely the insurance companies

Corprat welfare.

[impik]

7. Hee

[Fruittree]

9. I'll remember that when I get to sign my son up again in a few days..

Don't be so determined to follow a thought pattern that you won't see what's right in front of you. It isn't perfect but some people are being helped and it's better than what was. - It's being administered by private companies which is not great but there will be increased government regulation of these companies. The system we have was a mistake from the past - Yet another one that Pres. Obama and the current Dem. Congress have finally addressed.

[CTLawGuy]

16. The primary purpose

of reforming health care for some people is to punish the insurance companies. Who cares whether people actually get coverage or not? :shrug:

[impik]

6. Kill the bill!

Oh wait...

[eridani]

8. Minimal coverage that people can't afford to use helps no one obtain actual CARE n/t

[Still a Democrat]

10. Iy was a sellout to Big Pharma!!!1111oneone

:rofl:

[Kber]

11. Interesting

thanks for posting.

[stevenleser]

12. Add this to the young adults who dont get kicked off the parents' health insurance after college

and you have a growing list of reasons why the Health Care Reform bill was a lot better than the nay-sayers here made it out to be.

[johnaries]

13. K&R

[Ron Green]

14. Medicare for All!

[NorthCarolina]

15. WAY too much greed in America for something that progressive to happen. nt