Large Employers in Massachusetts
The Boston Globe reports:
The state’s bill for providing healthcare to employees and their families who work for large companies increased 24.6 percent to $793.7 million in the last fiscal year.
The law requires large employers to pay 33% of the costs of 25% of their employees or pay a fine of $295 per employee. Those who meet that threshold don’t pay anything for the 75% of workers not covered. These workers are able to get subsidized care from the state.
The three employers who contribute the most workers to state-subsidized coverage are: Wal-Mart (4,796 workers), Stop & Shop (4,731 workers), and — ta-dahh! — the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (3,785 workers).
Is the Commonwealth is fining itself for failing to insure its own workers?
This may be why so many large companies are climbing on board for health care reform. They are planning on dumping their problems on the taxpayer.