Ne ws from EBRI indicate they choose generic drugs more often. About half only go to the doctor for more serious conditions or symptoms, and 45 percent delay going to the doctor. Rising health care costs have also reduced the financial wellbeing of workers. Nearly a quarter of workers reporting cost hikes decreased contributions to retirement plans, and 41 percent decreased other FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE saving contributions. Nearly one-third report having had difficulty paying for necessities such as food, heat, and housing, while 39 percent struggle to pay other bills. At least one-third say they have used up Contact: all or most of their savings or have increased their credit card debt, a quarter borrowed money, 30 percent have delayed retirement, and 17 percent have dropped other insurance benefits. Betsy Jaffe Director, Marketing and Public Relations Workers Trust Their Own Health Plan More Than the Health Care System Employee Benefit Research Institute press-media@ebri.org Workers are satisfied with the quality of the medical care they receive, with 82 percent of workers 202.775.6347 identifying as extremely, very, or somewhat satisfied with the quality of the medical care they have received in the past two years. Half of workers with health insurance coverage say they are extremely or very satisfied with their current health plan, and more than a third are somewhat satisfied. However, Workers Rank Health Care Most Important Issue Facing U.S. half of workers also describe America’s health care system as poor or fair. EBRI /Greenwald & Associates Workplace Benefits Survey Finds Dissatisfaction Rooted in Rising Access to Health Insurance Anticipated to Continue Costs Workers are generally confident that their employers or unions will continue to offer health insurance in the future. However, nearly a quarter of workers report they would give up health benefits for higher Washington, D.C. – October 11, 2018 – Workers rank health care as the most critical issue in the wages. In contrast, 18 percent of workers report that they would give up wages for more health benefits. country. A new Health and Workplace Benefits Survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) — a private, non-partisan, non-profit research group — and Greenwald & Associates— The an indepe 2018 EB ndent m RI/Gare rke ent r wa ese ld & arc Assoc h firm iate — s looked a Health a t wor nd W ke or rs’ kplac satisfa e Bceti ne on a fits S nd c uronfide vey (W nc B eS in t ) ex he ami he ne alt s a h c are br syoa stem a d spe s ca trum o whole f he , as w alth ell c a are s atti isstudes towa ues, includi rd be ng wo nerke fits i rs’ n the w satisfaor cti kplac on with hea e. lth care today, their confidence in the health care system and the Medicare program, and their attitudes toward benefits in the workplace. The study also examines worker interest and attitudes towards other employee benefits. The The survey finds 26 percent of workers rank health care as the most important issue in the nation, 2018 surve followed by y im wami s cg onduc rationt ( e18 pe d June rc 21 ent), the -27, with a total of 1 role of the fede ,025 wor ral gove ke rnm rs a ent ( ges 121 6 pe -64 pa rcent rticipa ), and jobs ting. The (13 data is we perceig nthted b ). Neay rl y ge thre ndee r, -qu aga erte , ars of nd edu wor cake tion. rs c ited health insurance as one of the top three most important benefits factoring into staying in or choosing a new job, while just over half ranked retirement savings plans in t About EBRI: he top t hree. The survey also reveals that less than half of workers are extremely or very confident about their ability to get the health treatments they need today, and just over a third are c The onfide Empl nt about their oyee Benefit R abile itse y to get ne arch Instie tut dee d tre is a pr atm iv ea nts ov te, nonpa er the rtisan, nonpr next ten yeo afrit s. r esearch institute based in Washington, DC, that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and financial security issues. EBRI does not l “Theobb se fy indi and doe ngs illust s not ra ta teke the c poli onti cy posi nued c tions. The oncern a nd fr work of E ustrati B on wor RI is m ka ede rs ha possi ve towa ble brd ou y fundin r heg a f ltrom it h cares membe system,” rs a sand sponsors, id Paul Fronst who inc in, Dire lude a ctor of bro the ad ra Hea nlt ge h of pu Resea bli rcc h , priva and Educ te, for ati-on P profrog it, arnd nonpr am at EB of Rit I. “It is or ther gaeniz fora et not s ions. ur For pr more ising that plan sponsor information visits ar ww ew.e enga bri.or ged in cha g nging the health care system on behalf of their employees.” About Greenwald & Associates: Rising Costs Lead to Lower Satisfaction Greenwald & Associates is a leading, full-service market research firm specializing in retirement, W empl orke oy rs’ ee diss bene afits, and h tisfaction with hea ealth care lt r h insu esearc rah. ncF eor is more most infor ly focmation, used on g co to ost — ww onl w.y g a rebout 20 pe enwaldrese rc ae rc nt h.a cre om e xtremely or very satisfied with the cost of their health insurance plan, as well as the costs of health care services not covered by insurance. Nearly half of workers report experiencing a rise in health care costs over the past year, about the same percentage since 2015, but down from 61 percent in 2013. Workers reporting cost increases are changing the way they use the health care system. Nearly three- quarters say these higher costs have led them to try to take better care of themselves, and more than half