New Jersey is set to charge companies with workers on Medicaid. Other states may follow

[intheflow]

20. Gideon Lukens is off, here.

Gideon Lukens, who analyzes health policy at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said that while the idea may be well-intentioned, it could lead companies to employ fewer people from low-income household or single parents. He said companies could also consider the policy in decisions about whom to hire or lay off — and also on where to locate or how many workers to employ.

Sure, maybe mega-businesses would stop hiring low income workers, but they also rely on low income workers for the vast majority of their employees. These are the businesses that live and die by paying employees as little as possible, usually minimum wage. So are the going to hire less people at a higher wage so they can afford their own insurance, or cut their minimum wage workforce to such an extent that they won't be able to retain employees at all? Also - how would they know if job applicants are "low-income"?