How to Protect Health Coverage for 180 Million Americans

More than 180 million Americans receive health insurance from their employer. Employer-provided health insurance delivers high-quality, affordable coverage for American workers and families.

In a new survey of American workers, the Protecting America's Coverage Together (PACT) coalition finds that workers are very satisfied with their employer-provided insurance and rank it as the most important benefit they receive from their employer above retirement savings, paid time off, and all other benefits combined. 

Here's why employer-provided insurance is so important and how Congress can protect what workers report as high quality care they rely on.

What Makes Employer-Provided Insurance Work?

ESI delivers high-quality, affordable coverage to more than half of all Americans. Two foundational policies make this system work.

• The tax exclusion for employer-provided coverage enables employers to offer comprehensive benefits without increasing costs for businesses or workers.
• The Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) provides a uniform federal framework, preventing a costly 50-state patchwork of conflicting regulations.

What Can Congress Do to Protect Employer-Provided Insurance? 

• Keep protecting the tax exclusion for employer-provided health insurance. 
• Keep strengthening ERISA preemption to maintain nationwide coverage consistency.
• Keep supporting policies that enhance employers' ability to meet evolving workforce needs.

Three Things to Know about Employer-Provided Coverage 

In a recent PACT survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, workers say they are very satisfied with the health insurance they receive from their employer and consider it the most important workplace benefit.

• Health benefits are critical for recruitment and retention: nearly 8 in 10 workers (78% ) say health insurance quality is important or very important when considering a job offer or deciding to stay with their current employer. Employers who offer strong health benefits have a competitive advantage in attracting and keeping talent. 
• Job creators deliver for workers and their families: more than 3 in 4 Americans (77%) are satisfied or very satisfied with their employer-provided health insurance. This high satisfaction rate demonstrates that the employer-provided insurance system is meeting workers' needs and delivering quality coverage that families depend on. 
• Health insurance is the most valued workplace benefit: nearly half of workers (47%) identify health insurance as their most important employer benefit, more than double the next closest benefit. In fact, health insurance ranks higher than retirement savings, paid time off, and all other benefits combined. 

Dig deeper on the data below.

Bottom Line

Employer-provided insurance provides flexible, responsive coverage tailored to workforce needs. These policies keep Americans covered. Protecting the tax exclusion and ERISA preemption ensures this reliable system continues delivering quality care. 

Source: occamTM by AlphaROC, Inc., All Rights Reserved

Protecting America’s Coverage Together 

Protecting Americans' Coverage Together (PACT) is coalition represents leading employer voices focused on strengthening employer-provided coverage and protecting the benefits that American families depend on for their health.  Its members include the U.S Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Vermeer Corporation, the National Association of Manufacturers, and Council for Affordable Health Coverage.