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in August.
• "Uncertainty surrounding implementation of health care reform and the congressional-presidential budget impasse pushed supply managers' economic outlook lower for the month," said Goss.
• September's survey included a question asking how the Affordable Care Act was affecting hiring. More than a fourth, or 26.3 percent, reported that the health care overhaul law was making their companies more reluctant to hire new workers. Overall, according to the survey, 37.5 percent of supply managers indicated that their companies either reduced hiring or hours worked as a result of the act.

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