The Health Care Reform Bill passed in March. As employers present health care benefit options for 2011, employees are getting sticker shock from higher premiums and copays.
Lynette Columbus works hard at Able Roof on Westerville Road. But much of her hard earned cash in 2011 will go toward higher health care costs for her family of three.
"We don't have other options. My husband is self-employed so I carry all the benefits. So we utilize it as much as we can, but we end up paying out of pocket as well," said Columbus.
The Health Care Reform Bill signed into law in March requires employers in 2011 to eliminate lifetime maximums, provide covereage to dependents until age 26, provide preventative care free of charge and eliminate pre-existing exclusions for children to age 19. All will cost employers more money which will get passed on to employees in many cases.
"The employer takes more risk because even though they'd want to transfer the whole cost over to employees, which we wouldn't do, if you wanted to the company still has the risk of claims exposure because you're adding more people and keeping them on the policy longer," explained Bert Seymour, Vice President of Human Resources for Able Roof.
Across Central Ohio, families are discussing their options for 2011 and many are unhappy.
"Obamacare is not helping the middle class that is for sure! The hoops we now have to jump through to get "discount" coverage is pathetic," said Troy Bailey.
"I'm very disappointed that not only will my health care contribution double for the same plan, the FSA plan is being dwindled down too," said an anonymous viewer.
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