At a Glance | November 12, 2018 Employees Still Highly Value Health Care. It Continues to Impact Their Finances. Based on the 2018 Health and Workplace Benefits Survey (WBS) of 1,025 American workers ages 21–64. Top Three Most Important Benefits When Considering The WBS examines a broad spectrum of health Job Decision care issues, including workers’ satisfaction with health care today, their confidence in the health 73% Health insurance care system, and their attitudes toward benefits in the workplace. 57% Retirement savings plan 26% Dental or vision insurance Most Critical Issue in the United States 22% Traditional pension or defined benefit plan 2017 14% Life insurance Workers continue to rank 31% health care as the most 2018 10% Retiree health insurance critical issue in the nation. After health care, the survey 26% Health care 9% Disability insurance finds that an increased 21% number of workers identify 18% Immigration 7% Long-term care insurance immigration as a critical 16% Fed. govt. role issue. Terrorism was 15% 6% Supplemental health, critical illness, 13% Jobs indicated by 9% fewer 13% 12% Terrorism cancer, or accident insurance respondents in 2018. 9% 9% Education 4% Other benefits 7% Taxes 7% 5% 11% None of these Reported Changes in Use of Health Care Services and Shifts in Resources Resulting From Health Care Cost Increases, Behavior Due to Cost Increases, Among Those Among Those Experiencing Increases Experiencing Cost Increases Decrease contributions to: 73% 24% Try to take better care of myself Retirement savings plan 41% Other savings 55% Choose generic drugs more often Difficulty paying for: 52% See the doctor only for more 31% serious conditions or symptoms Basic necessities 44% 39% Delay going to the doctor Other bills 45% Talk to doctor more carefully Other reported resource shifts: about treatment options and costs 36% Increase credit card debt 29% Switch to over-the-counter drugs 31% Use up all or most of savings 33% Obtained manufacturer coupons 30% Delay retirement or discount cards for medications 25% Borrow money 25% Look for cheaper health insurance 18% Purchase additional insurance 25% Not fill or skip doses of prescribed to help with expenses medication 17% Drop other insurance benefits 26% Look for less expensive health 17% Take a loan or withdrawal care providers from a retirement plan © 2018 EBRI