All the evidence points to an economy well past being on themend. Yet studies continue to show that segments within the U.S.economy still lack confidence in its ability to stick to an upwardtrajectory.

An ADP survey of mid-sized U.S. companies reports that manywithin this sector are doubtful that the economy’s momentum can bemaintained. The main factors for their concern? The cost ofbenefits, and the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable CareAct.

Big-picture results of the ADP survey are that just 15 percentof 750 mid-sized company executives believe the economy willimprove during the next 12 months. However, more than half of themthink their particular industry will keep moving ahead — and theserespondents represent a full range of industries.

“This year the cost of health coverage and other employeebenefits, the complexities of the Affordable Care Act and the leveland volume of government regulations were the top three concerns ofmidsized businesses,” ADP reported.

Among specific findings:

• 69 percent are concerned with the cost of health coverage and otherbenefits;
• 54 percent are concerned with health care reformlegislation;
• 51 percent are concerned with the level and volume ofgovernment regulations;
• 33 percent reported being fined or penalized for not complyingwith laws pertaining to how they manage their workforce.

Of those fined, 58 percent did not know how much the fines costand 47 percent did not know how many times they were fined.

Also read: Consumersfearful of health care costs