Tough economy means more out-of-pocket costs

About two-thirds of employers plan to shift costs to workers this year in response to the bad economy, according to a survey by Hewitt Associates, a benefits consulting firm.  That will mean higher premium payments, higher co-payments and higher deductibles for lots of working people and families - at exactly the worst time

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Some of us have good benefits which are protected by union contracts. But that doesn't mean these trends shouldn't worry us.  The more that other employers cut benefits, the more likely it is that our employers will be seeking cutbacks the next time they come to the bargaining table.

Sure, some employers are greedy - and we can each probably name some.  But for many other employers, the economy is forcing unpleasant choices.  The answer is to fix the health care system so that everyone gets good coverage at affordable prices. CWA invites employers to join with us in helping to build a system which doesn't put financial stress on families or on businesses.

The Hewitt survey, completed in January, reached 343 companies with a total of 5 million employees. In addition to the plans to shift costs to workers, the companies told Hewitt that they were shifting emphasis from investments that could bring down costs over time, such as wellness programs, to "short-term fixes" - something else that should trouble all of us.

This serves as a reminder of why health care reform can't wait until the recession is over.