ATLANTA, Ga. — A new study from Mercer details the potential for healthcare costs increasing across the United States.

Mercer’s “Survey on Health and Benefit Strategies” finds 51% of large employers say they will be passing along increasing health care costs to their employees in 2026.

Emory University Economist Tom Smith says rising costs have been driven by the supply chain.

“The way that costs are billed out to different people who are using benefits is really odd, depending on who your insurance carrier is,” Smith said.

Smith also blames the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs.

Health benefit expenses are going up by six percent, after companies saw a 4.5% increase in 2024.

A congressional budget office analysis estimates 624,000 Georgians could lose their healthcare coverage if President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful bill is passed by congress.

More expensive healthcare could be enough to make some workers look for new jobs with better coverage, Smith adds.

Laura Colbert with Georgians for a Healthy Future previously said the premium tax credit could also go away, which could lead to increasing premiums for everyone.