Should NH publish a list of the businesses with the most employees receiving publicly funded health insurance?

Massachusetts is considering publishing an annual list of the employers with the most employees using publicly subsidized health insurance, such as Medicaid.

The list is part of larger health care reform bill aimed at reducing a deficit in the state's Medicaid program.

Click here to learn more about health care reform in New Hampshire.

Another form of corporate welfare?

Supporters of the list argue that most full-time jobs should pay enough for employees to afford health insurance. If a large number of employees instead qualify for publicly funded health insurance, taxpayers should be aware they are essentially subsidizing that company by allowing them to pay lower wages.

A 2015 study from the University of California, Berkeley concluded that taxpayers pay over $150 billion every year in public assistance to working families.

A way to shame large employers?

Opponents of the list argue that it is pointless public shaming.

Companies like McDonald's and WalMart have many minimum wage employees who qualify for publicly funded health insurance. However, those companies say they provide ample opportunities for those employees to move into higher level positions that earn more pay. If the companies instead raised wages, they would have to cut the number of entry level positions, which would only increase unemployment and the number of people on public assistance.

Have your say!

There is no current proposal in New Hampshire to publish a list of businesses with the most employees receiving publicly subsidized health insurance.

Do you think New Hampshire should consider the idea? Share your opinion in the comments below.