The employer-sponsored coverage system has long been the backbone of American healthcare, supporting over 150 million Americans and providing robust, high-quality coverage to workers and their families. As policymakers debate the future of healthcare, new data confirms a simple truth: American workers value their employer-provided coverage above all else, and they want to keep it.
Health Coverage is the Top Priority for Workers
- According to the latest PACT (Protecting Americans' Coverage Together) poll conducted in November 2025, health insurance remains the single most critical benefit for employees. When asked to rank workplace benefits, nearly half of all respondents (46.6%) cited health insurance as the most important—more than double those who prioritized 401(k) plans (21%) or paid time off (13.5%).
- This data sends a clear message to the business community and Washington alike: for the American worker, comprehensive health coverage is non-negotiable.
Employees Prefer the Current System
- Critics of the employer-sponsored system often suggest that workers would prefer higher wages to purchase their own insurance on the open market or through government programs. However, the data tells a different story.
- The PACT poll reveals that a majority of workers (60.1%) explicitly prefer getting their health coverage through their employer, compared to just 16.7% who would prefer a government program and 15.9% who would choose the individual marketplace. Furthermore, when given the choice between a higher salary to find their own coverage or keeping their current arrangement, the majority chose to stay with their employer-administered plan.
High Satisfaction and Quality
- The stability of the ESI system is underpinned by high satisfaction rates. An overwhelming number of respondents agree that the health plan they receive from work is valuable, with over 76% reporting they are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their coverage. Moreover, more than half of workers rate the quality of their employer-provided coverage as better than other options available to them.
A Vital Tool for Recruitment and Retention
- For employers, offering coverage is not just a policy decision; it is a business imperative. Nearly 78% of respondents stated that the quality of health benefits is "important" or "very important" when deciding whether to accept a job offer or stay with their current employer.
- As we look toward the future, we must ensure that the employer-sponsored system remains strong, flexible, and capable of innovating to meet the needs of a modern workforce.
Download the full November 2025 PACT Poll Report to see the complete data on how Americans view their coverage.
