There is some Industry Support for Employer Mandated Health Ins

Here are some recent quotes from a few industry leaders

July 14 (Bloomberg) -- Target Corp. and Kelly Services Inc. said they may support Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s call for mandatory medical insurance by large(usually more than 50 employees) companies as part of a proposed overhaul of U.S. health care.

“Conceptually, we can accept an employer mandate,” said Kay Rubbelke, a spokeswoman for Minneapolis-based Target, the country’s second-biggest discount retailer after Wal-Mart.

"Kelly Services, the Troy, Michigan-based provider of temporary workers, could support a mandate that has effective cost-containment provisions", said Jim McIntire, vice president of public affairs.

the National Retail Federation, the industry’s largest trade group, told members to “come out swinging” against Wal-Mart’s call for federally mandated company health insurance.

“Employer mandates and costly changes to the taxation of employer-provided health care will have a negative impact on employer-sponsored coverage,” said Malcolm Berkley, a spokesman for UPS.

"Kelly is breaking ranks with other companies because of a commitment by Chief Executive Officer Carl Camden to health-care changes", "A health-care system that covers more uninsured also would cause more individuals to consider the part-time employment services Kelly provides", McIntire said.

Recent House Healthcare Bill

July 14, 2009

WASHINGTON — House Democrats on Tuesday rolled out a far-reaching $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans, with medical providers, employers and the wealthiest picking up most of the tab.

The federal government would be responsible for ensuring that every person, regardless of income or the state of their health, has access to an affordable insurance plan. Individuals and employers would have new obligations to get coverage, or face hefty penalties.

Health care overhaul is President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, and his goal is to slow rising costs and provide coverage to nearly 50 million uninsured Americans.

Democratic leaders said they would push the measure through committee and toward a vote in the full House by month's end, while the pace of activity quickened on the other side of the Capitol.