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June 24, 2009

Group: Dem Proposal Could Hurt Low-Income Job Seekers
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Meanwhile, a progressive think tank is now criticizing a Democratic
proposal that would force employers to help pay the health insurance
costs of low-income workers. Under the plan, employers who don’t provide
health coverage would have to pay half the cost of Medicaid benefits or
the full cost of subsidies for workers who opt to buy coverage through
the proposed insurance exchange. The Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities says the plan could discourage the hiring of low-income
workers by essentially imposing a surcharge on their employment. Backers
of a universal, single-payer healthcare system have criticized the
Democratic approach in part because it makes workers and employers
responsible for health insurance coverage instead of the government.



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