Employer-Sponsored Coverage: A Key Pillar of the U.S. Health Care System
America’s employer-sponsored health benefits system is the foundation of health care in the United States. Nearly half of Americans–158 million–receive their health care through their employer. Business Roundtable members provide health care coverage to tens of millions of Americans and are deeply invested in the health and well-being of American workers, their families and their communities.
Both employees and employers benefit from the employer-sponsored health care system. American workers depend on employer-sponsored benefits to access health care when they need it. For employers, health care benefits are a critical tool for taking care of their employees and attracting and retaining talent.
- 90% of adults who receive health insurance through their or their spouse’s employer are satisfied with their plan.
- 76% of adults say employer-sponsored health insurance has a positive impact on employees.
- 71% of employees say that health insurance is very or extremely important in deciding whether to stay in or change jobs – far more than any other workplace benefit.
Employers are engines of innovation in health care. Employers model new ways to deliver quality, affordable health care in the most cost-efficient way, including through on-site clinics, utilization of digital health technologies and offering wellness, preventive care, mental and behavioral health and chronic disease management programs. As an important source of health coverage, employers also help address racial disparities in health conditions through the design and structure of their benefits and other employee services, including encouraging relationships with primary care providers and partnerships with community services to connect people of color to a reliable source of care. Many employers work to improve health care access, delivery and quality in the communities they serve.
Employer-sponsored coverage has also provided important services for employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to diagnostics, vaccines and treatment services. Many employers also took steps to ensure their employees maintained access to health coverage and services, despite the challenging economic environment.
Business Roundtable CEOs are committed to the success and sustainability of the U.S. health care system, which is why we support policies that will provide greater accountability, enhance efficiency and create value for all health care consumers.
