Commonwealth Fund Study A Tremendous Vote Of Confidence For Employer-Based Health Coverage

Jan 11, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carrie B. Tydings

January 11, 2000

(202) 824-1786

e-mail: ctydings@hiaa.org

The following statement was released today by Chip Kahn, president of the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA):

According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, an overwhelming majority—nearly three-quarters of insured American workers -- think employers do a "good job" selecting quality health plans, and over half of the adults surveyed said employers should continue to be the main source of coverage for workers.

The study, 1999 National Survey of Workers Health Insurance, found that American workers value employment-sponsored health plans, as opposed to purchasing coverage on their own, and would favor reforms to expand employment-based coverage to uninsured working adults.

HIAA strongly agrees with the conclusions of the Commonwealth Fund study because they show how well the employment-based system works. Employment-based coverage is and will continue to be the best and most efficient way to provide low-cost, high quality health insurance to working Americans.

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