A new nationwide poll finds that a strong majority of Americans receiving health care coverage through work — about 180 million people — are satisfied with their current employer-provided plans (75%) and prefer to get their coverage through an employer rather than through the federal or state government (74%).
The survey of 1,000 workers with employer-provided coverage, conducted by AHIP, also found that their satisfaction with employer-provided coverage is driven by comprehensive coverage (49%), affordability (48%), and choice of providers (45%) their plans provide.
AHIP is the acronym for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a national trade association that advocates for affordable, high-quality health care.
“This national survey is another reminder that the American people greatly value employer-provided coverage and will reject policies that undermine this indispensable pillar of our health care system,” Mike Tuffin, AHIP’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
Additionally, 71% of respondents report that the quality of their current employer-provided health plan is high, and 76% say their coverage would protect them from most of their medical costs if they had a major medical emergency. A majority of respondents also claim the health coverage their job provides had a positive impact on their decision to accept their current job (61%) — and it is even more impactful in their decision to stay at their current job (80%).
“Consumer satisfaction with employer-provided coverage has increased as plans deliver affordability, quality, and peace of mind in a time of inflation and rising costs,” said Phillip Morris, a partner at LSG, which conducted the poll on behalf of AHIP’s Coverage@Work initiative.
“Employers are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of employees and their families by providing high quality, cost-effective health programs,” added Garrett Hohimer, vice president of policy and advocacy at Business Group on Health, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.
“Our own research shows that 98% of employers consider their health and well-being programs to be key to their overall workforce strategy. Employer-provided health coverage must balance comprehensive offerings with compelling experience that works for an increasingly diverse set of health needs in the workforce. And we must have policies that promote, protect, affirm, and enhance an employer’s ability to attract, retain, and meaningfully support employees and their families.”