A new survey by consulting firm Watson Wyatt found that 84% of large U.S. employers do not support a single-payer system such as universal health care coverage. Of the 453 companies surveyed between November 2007 and January 2008, 78% favor private-sector solutions. 

“The link between health and productivity is a vital part of a company’s success. Most employers are not willing to cede influence over programs that affect their workers’ health," said Ted Nussbaum of Watson Wyatt in a press release. “Despite their frustration with rising costs, employers believe they can do a better job managing costs and meeting the needs of their workers than the government can.”

Isn’t it nice that your company cares so much about your health and productivity? I’m sure their feelings about universal health care have nothing to do with the fact that government-mandated health care coverage could lead to higher costs and tax implications for corporations.

I don’t claim to be an expert on the health care system, but I do think it’s ridiculous that it’s so much harder to get reasonably-priced benefits when you don’t work for a big company. Then again, many who work for large corporations argue that their benefit plans aren’t exactly reasonably priced either.

More interesting reading:
Watson Wyatt’s overview of the health care reform proposals of all three presidential candidates and the potential impact on employers.