We'll probably see more of this...

Article: Papa John's CEO John Schnatter Says Company Will Reduce Workers' Hours In Response To Obamacare

Significant Quote: "That's what you do, is you pass on costs. Unfortunately, I don't think people know what they're going to pay for this."

If you have time to listen to the Huff Post Live conversation, it does a good job of covering the pros and cons.

While I try to steer from straight politics in this blog, this change is too big to ignore.  I like the idea of universal health care...I really do.  But I don't think this legislation is designed well and have many concerns.  Mainly, how is the country going to pay for this.  This is one ripple effect that I'm pretty certain we'll be seeing.

Lots of jobs will be dropping down to part time with stricter rules about not going over 30 hours.

I'm not saying this will happen to all companies or at all levels, but I do think a lot of companies will be taking this route.

My other concern is I don't think there's any requirement for doctors to accept the government insurance...which has a history of poor payment.  So we'll probably see more and more doctors opting out...which may mean health insurance...but no doctor...or at least not enough doctors to go around.  (Like in this article: Doctors who take Medicare scarce )

There's obviously some good this Act is doing.  Covering people with pre-existing conditions and making it harder for people to be dropped is a good thing.  Government health insurance is better than no health insurance.  But those who do pay will probably be paying more.


Honestly, I don't think the answer here is full repeal so much as revision.  And something must be done to help increase the number of doctors/nurses.  (I think there's some educational reform needed for this one.)

I think we will see more punitive cost for unhealthy behaviors...so I wouldn't be surprised to see more increases for smokers or additional costs for those with obesity issues....and that may not be entirely a bad thing.