U.S. CEOs threaten to 'turn up the noise' over ObamaCare workplace wellness lawsuits

U.S. CEOs threaten to &#039;turn up the noise&#039; over ObamaCare workplace wellness lawsuits

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

last updated 8 January 2015

Calling recent lawsuits filed by the Obama administration's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission a "major issue," a group of U.S. chief executives representing more than 200 corporations are threatening to pull their support for ObamaCare, Reuters reports.

"We never did this before," said one person familiar with the issue. "But they could turn up the noise."

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But the EEOC has brought lawsuits against several companies arguing that the detailed health questionnaires and medical screenings that employees must fill out to participate in the wellness programs undermine the Americans with Disabilities Act. And, because not participating can cost employees as much as $4,000 in penalties, the EEOC argues that the programs are not actually voluntary. What is unclear is whether the White House — which created the healthcare reform law and included the wellness provision — is even able to stop the EEOC from challenging the programs.

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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