Reuters (7/16, Niasse ) reports, “More than half of large U.S. employers plan to scale back health care benefits next year as rising costs from weight-loss and specialty drugs squeeze budgets, according to a new survey [PDF] released by consulting firm Mercer on Wednesday.” The survey found that “among employers with 500 or more workers, 51% said they planned to increase cost-sharing in 2026, including raising deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs for workers.” That percentage “is up from 45% of large employers who said they would increase cost-sharing for 2025.”
Related Links:
— “Many US employers plan to pare health benefits as weight-loss spending soars,” Amina Niasse, Reuters, July 16, 2025