The Sconi

Wisconsin employers are facing significant challenges due to rising health care costs, according to a recent survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). The survey reveals that 88% of respondents expect their health care expenses to increase this year, with many planning to pass these costs onto employees.

Scott Manley, WMC’s Executive Vice President of Government Relations, highlighted the concerns of the business community: “Wisconsin’s business community has serious concerns about extreme health care costs. These costs are not only a competitive disadvantage, as they dip into employee compensation, investment opportunities, and more, but they also hurt Wisconsin families.”

The survey indicates that health care costs and labor shortages are the top issues for Wisconsin employers in 2025. A significant portion of respondents—41%—believe that making health care more affordable should be a priority for state government.

Manley suggested potential solutions: “There are simple policy solutions to help make health care more affordable. The majority of the business leaders we surveyed expressed that they would like to see fee schedules for the Workers Compensation program and legislation to require health care costs and quality to be transparent and accessible.”

Beyond health care reform, respondents also called for tax reductions and deregulation to improve the state's business environment. Manley noted the regulatory challenges faced by businesses: “There is a lot of inconsistency between federal, state, and local regulation. Many of these regulations do little more than add cost with no benefit. Employers want greater oversight from the Legislature over unelected bureaucrats who impose expensive regulation.”

While fewer Wisconsin businesses report difficulties in finding workers compared to previous years, many still struggle due to a lack of qualified applicants. Sixty-seven percent attribute this issue primarily to shortages in skilled labor.

The survey found strong support for initiatives aimed at enhancing technical education in K-12 schools. Seventy-two percent of respondents prioritized financial incentives for school districts offering technical education classes and work-based learning opportunities such as apprenticeships and internships.

Conducted biannually by WMC, the Wisconsin Employer Survey provides insights into employer perspectives on various issues affecting their economic outlook both within Wisconsin and nationally.