Comments on: “ERISA Stands in the Way of State Health Reform” by Celia Wcislo http://commonhealth.wbur.org/celia-wcislo/2007/04/erisa-stands-in-the-way-of-state-health-reform-by-celia-wcislo/ CommonHealth Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:13:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Celia Wcislo http://commonhealth.wbur.org/celia-wcislo/2007/04/erisa-stands-in-the-way-of-state-health-reform-by-celia-wcislo/comment-page-1/#comment-1936 Celia Wcislo Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:22:25 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/weblogs/commonhealth/?p=77#comment-1936 As Andrew Dreyfus conveyed so effectively in his posting - and what your questions underscore - is the challenge of balancing employer, government, and individual responsibilities. I think many in our healthcare and business communities would say that we've found the right path to compromise here in Massachusetts and that's the foundation of our healthcare expansion success. And as more individuals enroll in health insurance, we'll find out how well we're doing from their perspective. If we're ever to solve the issue of the uninsured on a national level, we need to focus with fresh eyes on finding the right balance. And yes, I would say a part of that balance is ensuring that there are basic standards employers should meet. After all, if employers don't participate in the solution or are unable to participate, those costs are then carried by taxpayers. Just as in Massachusetts, we'll need everyone at the table - government, employer, and individuals to help forge the path to a solution. As Andrew Dreyfus conveyed so effectively in his posting – and what your questions underscore – is the challenge of balancing employer, government, and individual responsibilities. I think many in our healthcare and business communities would say that we’ve found the right path to compromise here in Massachusetts and that’s the foundation of our healthcare expansion success. And as more individuals enroll in health insurance, we’ll find out how well we’re doing from their perspective.

If we’re ever to solve the issue of the uninsured on a national level, we need to focus with fresh eyes on finding the right balance. And yes, I would say a part of that balance is ensuring that there are basic standards employers should meet. After all, if employers don’t participate in the solution or are unable to participate, those costs are then carried by taxpayers.

Just as in Massachusetts, we’ll need everyone at the table – government, employer, and individuals to help forge the path to a solution.

]]> By: Paul Levy http://commonhealth.wbur.org/celia-wcislo/2007/04/erisa-stands-in-the-way-of-state-health-reform-by-celia-wcislo/comment-page-1/#comment-1928 Paul Levy Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:19:31 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/weblogs/commonhealth/?p=77#comment-1928 You say, "However, there will always be businesses that are financially weak or who worry only about the bottom line, and they will always find a way to pass on their social responsibility to provide health care to taxpayers." Are you suggesting that, if a business is financially weak, federal law should nonetheless require it to make these contributions? More generally, why would it be the social responsibility of a financially weak business to further weaken its financial condition? Perhaps it would be more socially responsible to provide fewer benefits to employees but continue to provide jobs. Who should make that judgment -- the business owner or the government? You seem to be suggesting that it should be the government. You say, “However, there will always be businesses that are financially weak or who worry only about the bottom line, and they will always find a way to pass on their social responsibility to provide health care to taxpayers.” Are you suggesting that, if a business is financially weak, federal law should nonetheless require it to make these contributions? More generally, why would it be the social responsibility of a financially weak business to further weaken its financial condition? Perhaps it would be more socially responsible to provide fewer benefits to employees but continue to provide jobs. Who should make that judgment — the business owner or the government? You seem to be suggesting that it should be the government.

]]> By: Peter Porcupine http://commonhealth.wbur.org/celia-wcislo/2007/04/erisa-stands-in-the-way-of-state-health-reform-by-celia-wcislo/comment-page-1/#comment-1922 Peter Porcupine Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:40:07 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/weblogs/commonhealth/?p=77#comment-1922 Rather than beat Stop & shop and Wal-Mart with your stick, do you have any statistics about how many OTHER Mass. businesses do not provide benefits to part-time employees? Do you have statistics about how many feel-good non-profits don't provide benefits to FULL TIME employees? Talk to any Polaroid retiree, now that the company has gone bankrupt, and ask them if they would rather have paid a larger share of benefit, or lose benefit entirely. THAT is what ERISA does - it freezes contibution rates in stone, and makes it impossible for companies which are overwhelmed to change them. Rather than beat Stop & shop and Wal-Mart with your stick, do you have any statistics about how many OTHER Mass. businesses do not provide benefits to part-time employees?

Do you have statistics about how many feel-good non-profits don’t provide benefits to FULL TIME employees?

Talk to any Polaroid retiree, now that the company has gone bankrupt, and ask them if they would rather have paid a larger share of benefit, or lose benefit entirely. THAT is what ERISA does – it freezes contibution rates in stone, and makes it impossible for companies which are overwhelmed to change them.

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