Amid the debate about health care is the worry about what will happen to employer-based plans. Are we worrying too much about a system that’s headed for extinction anyway?
Consider a report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation on employer-based health coverage. The report looked at the coverage trends since 1999. Here are some of the key numbers:
Percentage of firms, categorized by numbers of employees, that offered health benefits in 1999
- Up to 9 employees: 56%
- Up to 199 employees: 65%
- More than 199 employees: 99%
Percentage of firms categorized by number of employees, that offered health benefits in 2008
- Up to 9 employees: 49%
- Up to 199 employees: 62%
- More than 199 employees: 99%
The data would appear to show that employer-based coverage has dropped a bit since 1999, but only a bit. Nearly the same percentage of employers are offering coverage.
The conclusion: Employer-based coverage is still the prevalent option for American workers, particularly those who work for midsize or large firms.
