The new wrinkle in the health reform is the Senate. It has been much speculation about the possibility of an employer mandate, requiring firms to offer some size of a health plan to its employees – considered by some as a sure way to get more Americans insured. But Senate officials have anonymous told the AP that such a mandate will not be included in the final draft of the Senate. Health insurers will have this requirement and other similar individuals, to gain more business. However, this does not mean that private companies can feel free to keep offering more affordable group health insurance to their employees.

According to these sources, there will be penalties levied against large companies whose employees are forced to apply for government subsidies. The grants are designed to help people buy individual health insurance on the open market, which tends to cost more than a health insurance plan affordable of the group. Unlike the version the Senate Finance Committee's bill that fines companies charge according to each employee who needs federal funding, this proposal of rumors multiplied by the rate of total workforce of a business regardless of how many employees were actually insured. It applies only to companies with more than 50 employees, but the fine could be as high as $ 750. A company in the small end of that range could see a significant bite into their revenues, although only two or three employees, sought the grant.

Is this a good strategy? It is not clear. On one hand, most large companies included in this Regulation and to provide one health insurance plan for its employees. It can not be ideal, but in general Full options are available that are at least partially covered by the employer. Therefore, this negative reinforcement does not seem necessary. A significant percentage of the population open are people who work for small businesses that together employ the majority of Americans in the private sector. The size of the force of work are not large enough to enable them to purchase health insurance at the cheapest rates for large groups. Unfortunately, they have to spend the cost to their employees or forgo health insurance altogether offering. Also, this proposal would not be much help to the unemployed, which will probably not be able to afford health insurance, even with subsidies. Of course it is possible that the fines imposed on large employers will be used to partially finance the subsidies for others. Could be a plan B for the Congress if they are unable to boost the public option.

Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they don’t have to go without a health insurance plan while waiting for a public option, if it ever gets passed.

yamileth@vitalonehealth.com

Health Insurance Reform: Getting It Done