Report: Kroger cutting spousal health insurance

New York -- The Kroger Co. will stop providing health insurance benefits for spouses on January 1, 2014, according to a recent agreement with several unions, Indiana Public Media reported.



The report cited John Elliott, the spokesperson for Kroger’s Central Division in Indianapolis, who said Kroger’s new insurance policy is more generous than what is required by the Affordable Care Act. Under the agreement, Kroger will provide what Elliott called a more stable pension fund, various pay increases, and health insurance benefits for part-time workers who work as few as 20 hours per week.



According to Elliott, while the Affordable Care Act played a role in Kroger’s decision, the real reason for the change in policy was the increasing cost of health care in the United States.



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