Manufacturers cite health law worries as reason not to hire

The Affordable Care Act is weighing on some manufacturers, a Creighton University survey of supply managers across Minnesota and eight other central states indicates.

About 38 percent of businesses reported that the Affordable Care Act had either caused them to be more reluctant to hire or actually reduced hiring or layoffs or cuts in hours, said Creighton economist Ernie Goss, who conducts the poll.

"There have been impacts and they have not been good but it's not as significant as some of the opposition have been contending," Goss said.

The employment index for Minnesota manufacturers pointed to tepid expansion with a score of 51.9. Readings above 50 signal growth.

However, the employment index of a national survey of manufacturers in September hit its highest level so far this year. The Institute for Supply Management's employment index rose two points to 55.4 last month. Manufacturers around the country reported optimism about increasing demand and improving business conditions.

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