Obamacare confusion.

[Texasgal]

I keep hearing about all these companies cutting workers hours raising cost of goods pricing all to prepare for Obamacare.

My question: Don't taxpayers already pay for loss at ER's? What's the financial difference?

And really, why wouldn't these companies invest in a healthy workforce? Invest in their employees period?

Would it not save us all money on the long run?

I am confused!

[Skittles]

1. the people saying that bullshit

are simply using Obamacare as an excuse to do what they already planned

[Texasgal]

5. But Obamacare is not free..

am I correct?

I am curious about the angst!

[pnwmom]

2. Yes, and health care prices were going up faster BEFORE Obamacare,

which has bent the cost curve down.

Businesses are just using this as an excuse for higher prices and larger profits. They know a lot of Americans are suspicious of Obamacare, and so they're using it as a scapegoat.

[riderinthestorm]

3. We need to de-couple employment from health care.

I believe that these actions by these CEOs underscores that point - it makes it so ridiculously obvious how distorted the relationship is when these two things are joined together.

Its going to take a lot of pressure coming from many angles to force single payer into the mainstream. Having these CEOs revolt over paying even a miniscule portion of employee health insurance costs means that reform may come even more swiftly.

While the short term pain may be terrible, the long term gains (de-coupling employment and health care) will be worth it.

[hughee99]

4. Many companies see their workers as disposable or, at least, easily replaceable.

How many people take the time to try to sharpen a disposable razor? You CAN do it, but is it worth the investment (time and effort) when you can just go pick up another one so easily.