A survey of employers conducted after the presidential election indicates that 84 percent of all employers plan to continue offering health insurance coverage once the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) takes full effect in 2014.

The survey, conducted Dec. 3 and 4 by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, showed an uptick in positive responses of seven percent since before the election.

The respondents cited three reasons for continuing coverage: employee satisfaction, retention of employees, and obligations under collective bargaining agreements.

Only five percent of employers affected by the "play or pay" penalty mandate for businesses with 50 or more employers said they planned to reduce their workforce to avoid the mandate.