Most like employer-sponsored health coverage—but not all

Recent polling suggests that most Americans are generally satisfied with their employer-sponsored health coverage. But many who receive insurance through their jobs say they still face financial difficulty covering health care costs.

A November 21, 2019 Kaiser Health News article explored the issue after Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden claimed in a recent debate that “160 million people like their private insurance.”

Fact-checkers said the reality is more nuanced. According to a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Los Angeles Times, for example, roughly 40% of people with employer-sponsored coverage had trouble paying medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, or premiums, and half said they delayed or went without health care because of high costs. Those with high-deductible plans that require larger out-of-pocket costs were less likely to be satisfied with their coverage.

“Most like their policy, but not all,” said health care pollster Robert Blendon, Richard L. Menschel Professor of Public Health and Professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Read the Kaiser Health News article: Do 160 Million Americans Really Like Their Health Plans? Kind of