re: Health Benefits - New Policy on Spouses

This is my first post in Money Talk. Didn't know a calm board existed on TD. :coo:

Like everyone is saying, $600 is beans. It is an employer's market out there so the leverage is not in your favor. You said it earlier, but it hits home real hard when you hear it... as of 2012 (Obama is trying to change it), medical insurance is a benefit, not a right. Furthermore, employers have complete option as to the amount (%) that they contribute. The trend for the last 5 years has actually been to completely exclude spouses if they had availability of insurance!

My father in law (a medium sized business owner) recently had a a discussion with me that when the 2013 healthcare items go into effect, it would actually be cheaper on the employer to take the penalty than pay any share of healthcare coverage. But since their company is very successful right now, they want to take that burden off the employees.

It is a very profound time in our country's view on healthcare. There are pro's and con's to either side.