|
Here’s another reason why most of us in the United States are not better off now than seven years ago: 6.4 million fewer workers had employer-provided health insurance in 2006 than in 2000. These data released this week from the Economic Policy Institute show the decline in coverage has taken place across the spectrum of age, education, occupation, industry, race and ethnicity.
While workers with more education are more likely to receive health insurance from their employers, workers from all education levels have seen similar declines in coverage. Specifically, workers with no more than a high school education saw a decline of 5.0 percentage points, workers with some college education but no bachelor’s degree saw a decline of 4.2 percentage points, and workers with a college degree or more saw a decline of 3.6 percentage points. Recently, more than 26,000 people took our online AFL-CIO/Working America 2008 Health Care for America Survey, and nearly 7,500 respondents told us about their personal health care experiences. Those who took the survey are predominantly college-educated and have jobs and health insurance. And the results are stunning. - Some two-thirds (61 percent) who have employer-provided coverage say their costs have gotten worse.
- One-third report skipping medical care because of cost, and a quarter had serious problems paying for the care they needed.
- Ninety-five percent say they are somewhat or very concerned about being able to afford health insurance in the coming years.
- Almost half overall (48 percent) and 60 percent of Latinos say they have or a family member has stayed in a job to keep health care benefits when they would have preferred changing jobs.
- Ninety-five percent of respondents say America’s health care system needs fundamental change or to be completely rebuilt.
- Seventy-nine percent say health care is a very important voting issue, and 97 percent say they plan to vote in the November elections.
The survey gives us the info to present to lawmakers at all levels as the unions of the AFL-CIO mobilize with a broad alliance of grassroots organizations to win progressive reform and give millions more union members the information and tools to become active players and health care voters. Take part by signing the petition for secure, high-quality health care for all and stop back often to get the latest updates. And sign up to join the AFL-CIO’s Working Families e-Activist Network and get updates on the health care campaign and other issues that affect America’s working families. Tula Connell (AFL-CIO Weblog) |
