Most Companies Oppose Single-Payer Health Care System, State Coverag...( Reform Proposals Have Little Impact ...),Health

Reform Proposals Have Little Impact on Employer Health Care Offerings Thus

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WASHINGTON, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Most U.S. companies do not support a single-payer health care system or state legislation mandating coverage. Instead, they prefer relying on private-sector solutions, according to research by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, and the National Business Group on Health.

More than three-quarters (84 percent) of employers do not support a single-payer system such as universal health care coverage. Instead, 78 percent favor private-sector solutions, according to the 13th annual Watson Wyatt/National Business Group on Health report. The organizations surveyed 453 large U.S. employers between November 2007 and January 2008.

"With the election approaching, health care issues are again in the spotlight," said Ted Nussbaum, director of group and health care consulting in North America for Watson Wyatt. "The link between health and productivity is a vital part of a company's success. Most employers are not willing to cede influence over programs that affect their workers' health."

Companies Strongly Favor Private Sector Health Care Solutions

Very Somewhat Not very Not at all

Proposal supportive supportive supportive supportive

Universal system

such as single-payer 3% 13% 34% 50%

Public-private

combination solution 10% 53% 23% 15%

Federal legislation

supporting private

sector solution 26% 52% 14% 8%

State legislation

mandating coverage 4% 26% 33% 36%

More than two-thirds of employers (69 percent) do not support state legislation such as the law enacted in Massachusetts that mandate
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