The Majority of Businesses Plan to Continue to Offer Benefits After Obamacare Goes into Full Effect in 2014, Says a New Study

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), both derisively and lovingly known as Obamacare, is a central election issue.

Former Governor Mitt Romney has promised to repeal and replace the ACA should he win the presidency this November, targeting it as a drain on the economy, meanwhile Obama promises to protect his hallmark legislation until it fully goes into effect in 2014.

But how will businesses adapt to Obamacare?

According to a study conducted by the Midwest Business Group on Health, the majority of small to large companies will still offer benefits after Obamacare take full effect in order to provide incentives for employees.

President of the Group, Larry Boress, states: "After 2013, the majority of employers responded that they will be adjusting to the 'new normal,' making changes to their benefit design strategy in response to the post-ACA environment."

He adds, "The majority [of businesses with at least employees] plan to continue to offer benefits."

The Midwest Business Group worked alongside The Benfield Group, a market research firm, to conduct the research. Benfield Group President Scott Thompson notes that "Employers still believe that health benefits are vital to attract talented employees and maintain a productive workforce."

However, Forbes reports that many employers will transition to consumer-directed health plans, which may drive up the costs of coverage because they "tend to be tied to high deductibles."

It's clear that the echoes of the ACA will likely motivate companies to adapt to the new health care model in unexpected ways that neither candidate may have predicted.