Employers are scrambling to cut costs and health care benefits are on the chopping block

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Health care costs have been rising for years, and finding a way to shoulder that burden and keep benefit prices low has been top of mind for employers. But companies are reaching their limit, and becoming more willing to push costs onto their employees, according to a new report. 

Around 51% of companies say they’re likely or very likely to make design changes to their plans in 2026 that will place a larger burden on employees, according to a new study from HR consulting firm Mercer.