The restaurant industry employs a large number of part-time employees. In some cases a limited medical plan, or mini-med plan, is extended to the staff. Those plans may no longer be available by some companies because of costs.

Under healthcare reform, companies will be required to pay for 80 to 85 percent of premiums, which may be more than some financially strapped restaurants can afford. According to a survey by the Hay Group and the Chain Restaurant Compensation Association, 54 percent of employers are considering dropping the mini-med plans.

Recently, McDonalds made headlines for voicing its concerns over being able to offer the plans to their employees.

Hay Group principal John Hennessy says reform may negatively impact some people's access to affordable care.

"Limited medical plans offer low-cost coverage to part-time and full-time hourly workers who otherwise might not be able to afford coverage at all," says Hennessy. "However, employees' access to limited medical plans may be in danger with healthcare reform mandates on the horizon, as the coverage is unlikely to meet the minimum standards of acceptable coverage."

Those who find they can no longer obtain coverage at work can look into individual health insurance plans.