The Current Status of Employer-Based Insurance: A Conversation with James Gelfand (May 3rd)

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Considering the debate over the past five months about repealing the ACA (and more generally reforming the Medicare program via premium support),  it is worth remembering that approximately 55% of non-elderly Americans, or 155 million, still receive their health care coverage via their employer.   In addition, as of 2016 the ACA requires employers with over 50 employees to either offer health benefits or face a financial penalty.   The question remains what is the future of employer based insurance coverage, both for employees and retirees) if, for example, the ACA's "employer shared responsibility" provision and/or the employer tax exclusion (addressed in the ACA by the so called "cadillac tax") is repealed. 

During this 25 minute discussion Mr. Gelband briefly describes ERIC's mission/work, identifies what methods large employers are using to continue to offer employee coverage, how retiree coverage is being addressed, how employers are incenting providers to deliver quality care, ERIC's view of much debated HRAs (Health Risk Assessments) and wellness programs and his organization's position on the employer tax exclusion.  (Listeners may recall I interviewed Dr. Joe Antos last August 5th on the tax exclusion.)

Mr. James Gelfand is Senior Vice President of Health Policy at ERIC where he works to develop and advance public policies to support the ability of employers to design and administer health plans.   Previously, Mr. Gelfand was the Director of Federal Affairs at the March of Dimes Foundation.   Prior to, he served as Associate Director for Luntz Global Partners.  He served on Capital Hill as Counsel to Senator Olympia Snowe, on the Senate Small Business Committee and to Senator Tom Coburn.   Mr. Gelfland also was for four years a lobbyist for the US Chamber of Commerce.   Mr. Gelfand received his JD from the George Washington University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Northwestern. 

For more information on ERIC go to: http://www.eric.org/.

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