Health Care Waivers Are Approved For Unions, Employers

A number of Companies & Unions have received waivers from the federal government so they don't have to maintain minimal coverage for employees under the health reform law. Some employers, including McDonald's, had threatened to drop health coverage for hourly workers because they said it wasn't fiscally feasible.

The waivers are aimed at providing coverage for workers until 2014, when marketplaces organized by the government will offer tax-subsidized coverage, government officials say.

The  Department of Health And Human Services said it granted waivers so workers wouldn't lose coverage from employers who might choose to drop health insurance altogether.

"The big political issue here is the president promised no one would lose the coverage they've got," says Robert Laszewski, chief executive officer of consulting company Health Policy and Strategy Associates. "Here we are a month before the election, and these companies represent 1 million people who would lose the coverage they've got."

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