Survey Finds Steady Decline in Businesses Offering Health Benefits to Workers Since 2000

Premiums Rise 9.2% In 2005, Less Than In 2004 But Three Times The Increase In Workers’ Wages

One in Five Firms Offer High-Deductible Health Plan Option; 2.4 Million Workers with Insurance Enrolled In Consumer-Driven Plans

Washington, D.C. – The percentage of businesses offering health insurance to their workers has declined steadily over the last five years as the cost of providing coverage continues to outpace inflation and wage growth, according to the 2005 Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust.

The survey found that three in five firms (60%) offered coverage to workers in 2005, down significantly from 69% in 2000 and 66% in 2003. The drop stems almost entirely from fewer small businesses offering health benefits, as nearly all businesses (98%) with 200 or more workers offer such benefits.

“It is low-wage workers who are being hurt the most by the steady drip, drip, drip of coverage draining out of the employer based health insurance system,” Kaiser Family Foundation President and CEO Drew E. Altman, Ph.D., said. ...

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The Kaiser Family Foundation

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