Companies hate the health plan.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Economics

Background:

• President Clinton's healthcare reform proposal aimed to expand insurance coverage.
• The proposal introduced a new entitlement program with significant cost implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze employer perspectives on the financial feasibility of President Clinton's healthcare proposal.
• To assess the perceived affordability of the proposed healthcare entitlement for businesses.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of employer feedback and statements regarding the proposal.
• Economic impact assessment focusing on employer-paid healthcare costs.

Main Results:

• A significant number of employers expressed concerns about the financial burden of the proposed entitlement.
• Employers concluded that the projected costs associated with the new healthcare entitlement were unaffordable.

Conclusions:

• The proposed healthcare reform, as presented by President Clinton, was perceived by many employers as financially unsustainable.
• Employer opposition was largely driven by concerns over the significant, unaffordable costs of the new entitlement program.