The article doesn’t comment on the tax implications of the $2,400 annual stipend. If it is treated as income, these employees will find their health care costs even higher.
Oh it's worse. The firm arranged for the benefit, probably paid for most of it, even though it may have been a cafeteria plan, and the employees received it on a tax free basis. Now they have to buy a Policy with after tax dollars, and only $2,400 as a stipend.
No mention if the company had a Flexible Spending Account i.e. a Section 125 plane available for employees that used to be up to $5,000 contribution and that is now $2,500.... Fubaring after Fubaring for all of us...