Big Employers Plan 2027 Health-Benefit Cuts as Costs Rise
Several large employers, including Disney, Starbucks, Bloomberg, Deloitte and the City of Dallas, plan to trim or redesign 2027 health benefits—such as spousal coverage restrictions, higher premiums, elimination of GLP-1 weight‑loss drug coverage, and reduced benefits—to curb soaring costs projected around 9–9.5% next year, pushing average costs above $19,000 per employee. Analysts warn workers will bear more of the burden even as companies explore alternatives like direct‑to‑patient drug pricing and ICHRA adoption, which face implementation hurdles.
