Benefits November 12, 2008

Employers Say Keep Health-Care Employer Based

November 12, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Some 64% of employers who sponsor a health care plan and who participated in a recent survey contend that the U.S. health care system should be primarily based on the employer-delivery model.
Reported by

According to a news release from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), 71% of employers polled still contend the health care delivery system needs major surgery.

Some 68% indicated that there is a need for a uniform nationwide health care approach and 28% argued that change in the system should be left up to the states.

A quarter of responding employers said they believe the current health care system should be replaced with a government-sponsored program and only 20% support replacing the current health care system with universal coverage purchased by individuals.

Just over four in 10 employers agreed that employers should be forced to provide coverage. Finally, only 45% of respondents expect major federal reforms will become law during the next presidential term.

The news announcement said other key findings included:

  • 32% of employers have implemented consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs). The number is much lower among public and multiemployer plans with only 17% and 12% respectively offering CDHPs.
  • respondents still have faith in the consumerism concept, with 62% citing consumerism as a strategy to improve health care quality and reduce costs over the next two years.
  • 75% use disease management programs to improve health care quality.

To order the survey, visit www.ifebp.org/books.asp?6535E or contact the Foundation Bookstore at bookstore@ifebp.org or (888) 334-3327, option 4.

«