Survey: Federal Healthcare Reforms Will Increase Costs

Complying with the federal Affordable Care Act’s numerous requirements will significantly increase business costs according to a survey released today.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s Quarterly Economic Survey: First Quarter 2013 found 87% of the state businesses predicted increased costs as a result of healthcare reform.
CBIA economist Pete Gioia  noted that the January 2014 deadline for complying with ACA requirements was a “major concern” for the state’s businesses.
“Just one percent believe Obamacare will reduce compensation and benefit costs for their companies while 11% see no fiscal impact,” Gioia said.
“And it was quite telling that just 13% felt they had enough information to understand and comply with federal healthcare requirements.”
The survey, released the same day as a Bureau of Economic Analysis report revealed Connecticut was last among all states for economic growth, also showed that the state’s economy continues to lag behind the national recovery.
Just 17% of businesses expect the state’s economy to improve, while almost a quarter (23%) saw the U.S. economy improving.
That outlook repeated a pattern from previous quarters, although half now forecast stability for the national economy, a 14 percentage point jump from the fourth quarter of last year.
Some 39% thought the state’s economy would remain stable, up from 34% the previous quarter.
“These numbers show a state economy that still has a long way to go to reach sustainable conditions,” Gioia said.
Surveyed businesses were optimistic with their sales and production forecasts, with 39% predicting increases, while just 17% saw declines. More than a third (35%) saw conditions improving for their firms.
And about a quarter (24%) indicated they would add employees in the second quarter, with 15% expecting to shrink their work forces.
Other important responses from the latest quarterly survey:

• 29% see improving conditions for their industry, while 20% see declines.
• 37% predict increases in productivity, up from 30% the previous quarter.
• 38% predict an increase in wage costs, while 59% see those costs remaining stable.
• 36% forecast higher compensation and benefits costs, while 59% said they would stay the same.

CBIA’s Quarterly Economic Survey: First Quarter 2013 was emailed to approximately 1,900 Connecticut businesses in April 2013. A total of 221 responded, for a 11.6% response rate and a margin of error of +/- 6.7%.