Fewer California Employers Offer Health Insurance
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The number of California businesses offering their employees health insurance has dropped 10 percent over the last 2 years, and those who do have coverage through a job are paying much higher premiums.
The annual survey by the California Healthcare Foundation released Wednesday found 64 percent of employers in the state currently offer health plans, down from 73 percent in 2010.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
"What's remarkable is how that trend has only been exacerbated in this current economic recession," said Anthony Wright, executive director of the public advocacy group.
The data collected from July to October 2011 showed premiums for employer-provided health plans rose five times faster than inflation, climbing 153.5 percent since 2002.
Industry groups attribute those higher premiums to the rising costs of providing health care to an aging population that requires physician visits, medication and sometimes hospitalization because of chronic conditions.
"Thirteen cents on the dollar is all the overhead costs including any profit. Profit is a minor factor," said Patrick Johnson, president of the California Association of Health Plans.
More than one-third of the employers in the survey said they planned to increase employee healthcare contributions in 2012.
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