Free Republic

Millions of Americans are embracing health and fitness tracking devices — such as Fitbit and the new Apple Watch — to boost their health and wellness. But a new study suggests a potential downside of the new med-tech devices: Employers may begin to require them for some workers to hold down rising healthcare costs. MarketWatch reports that millions of the devices are expected to be introduced into the workplace by 2018 as employers adopt incentivized wellness programs to tackle rising health care costs, according to a study by Verizon Enterprise Solutions. “Tracker information will become part of your health record,”...

Fox News is reporting that employer-provided health care plans may be a thing of the past. Former Obama health adviser Zeke Emanuel predicted that Obamacare will replace 80 percent of employer-provided health plans will disappear in 10 years. “It’s going to actually be better for people. They’ll have more choice,” Emanuel said. “Most people who work for an employer and get their coverage through an employer do not have choice.” …

I filled out an online application for a clerk/cashier position at a national retail pharmacy yesterday morning. I've been bugged about a question on that application/assessment ever since. "If hired, will you participate in the employers health care plan?" I answered "no" but have to wonder why that question was even asked. Has obmacare now forced employers to "weed out" prospective employees by whether or not they are going to need health insurance?