Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Worry About Tomorrow Tomorrow

Due to the requirements imposed on small businesses, Obamacare has been criticized as an impediment to job creation [update: large employers may be able to comply with Obamacare rules by using "bare bones" health plans that cover little hospitalization, if any.] However, the measure's job effects aren't totally negative [bold added]:
To implement President Obama's Affordable Care Act, San Mateo County will hire 25 people to help process the expected flood of new applications for new benefits....San Mateo County's Health Services Agency has been advised to brace for about 894 new applications per month above the 2,276 it currently receives for health benefits.
Further good news: half the annual labor cost of $3.6 million (that's an average of $144,000 per employee!) will be paid for by the Federal Government. The uncertain news: the jobs aren't expected to be permanent.

However, such an objection is unlikely to dissuade County managers from hiring. For decades California governments have believed in spending and hiring and worrying about tomorrow when tomorrow comes, and their recent actions (e.g., installing high-speed rail where most of the people don't live) show that little has changed.

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