Policy

Short-Houred Jobs, Increased Government Benefit Costs an Obamacare Side Effect

Very European, without the cafes

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ObamaCare was sold as a way to achieve several goals: affordable care, guaranteed coverage, protections against bankruptcy.

But before such promises have a chance of being realized, the health reform appears to be delivering something else: Germany-style work-sharing.

Germany's program gives employers incentives to cut hours instead of payrolls, as government supplements pay of workers facing shorter shifts.

Back home, employers are cutting hours to avoid ObamaCare fines for failing to provide full-time workers with broad, affordable coverage. There's evidence that firms are adding workers and reducing hours.