Sixty-four percent of employers who sponsor health care plans believe employer-based health care should continue as the main mechanism for benefits delivery rather than a government system, according to a survey.

And 71 percent indicated that the U.S health care system needs a complete overhaul, according to the study by the nonprofit International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

The Foundation said it heard from 1,054 respondents, including employers who sponsor U.S. benefit plans, trustees and others who serve in the employee benefits industry.

The Brookfield, Wis.-based organization said only 25 percent of responding employers believe the current health care system should be replaced with a government-sponsored national health care system, and only 20 percent support replacing the current health care system with universal coverage purchased by individuals.

Sally Natchek, the Foundation senior research director, said that most Americans with health insurance are covered through employer-sponsored health plans and the survey findings "provide the valuable perspective of those who currently shoulder the majority of the responsibility for providing health care."

Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated that there is a need for a uniform, nationwide approach to health care. Only 28 percent said they believe that states should be the drivers of change in health care rather than the federal government.

The Foundation said that while responses indicate employers believe a national, employer-based system is needed, there is some reluctance among business operators to mandate employer-provided coverage, with just 43 percent of respondents agreeing with this approach.

While employers generally believe that health care should be reformed, the majority indicated they are not expecting major changes in the immediate future. Only 45 percent of respondents expect major federal reforms will become law during the next presidential term.

Ms. Natchek said, "Like many Americans that are struggling with health care, employers are also frustrated with the system, yet they are skeptical that a solution is eminent."

Other survey findings:

o Only 32 percent of employers have implemented consumer-driven health plans. That figure is much lower among public and multi-employer plans, with only 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively, offering consumer-driven health plans.

o While the support for consumer-driven plans is not as strong as expected, respondents showed faith in the consumerism concept, with 62 percent citing consumerism as a strategy to improve health care quality and reduce costs over the next two years.

o Seventy-two percent of respondents said they believe embracing health and wellness as a core value of the organization will be the number one way to improve health care quality and reduce costs in the future.

o Disease management programs to improve health care quality are used by 75 percent of employers.

o Retiree health benefits are still most commonly found with public employee plans and multi-employer benefit plans--85 percent and 76 percent, respectively.

The study titled "Health Care Cost Control: Industry Approaches and Attitudes" breaks down respondents answers based on four sectors: corporate plans, public/governmental plans, multi-employer benefit plans and professional service firms serving the employee benefits industry.

Available only as an e-book, the 57-page study (Item #6535E) can be ordered online at www.ifebp.org/books.asp?6535E, option 4, or by contacting the Foundation Bookstore at bookstore@ifebp.org or (888) 334-3327. The cost is $100, $67 for Foundation members.

Special Reports /

Employers Don't View U.S. As Health Plan Delivery Source

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