Despite concerns about the impact of rising health care costs on their businesses and employees, only one in six employers (16%) say they favor a federally funded universal health care system, according to the 2011 UBA Benefits Opinion Survey from United Benefit Advisors.
Nearly all (99%) top decisionmakers are concerned with the impact of health care costs are having or are going to have on their overall corporate costs, according to the survey. Just slightly fewer (98%) are also concerned with the impact health care costs are having on their employees, up nearly 20% from three years ago and nearly identical to last year. More than 50% percent said it is a critical concern.
Additional findings presented in the survey include:
- Employers are less prepared to meet the legislative and regulatory requirements placed upon them, and those requirements are becoming increasingly complex.
- Ninety-seven percent of employers still believe a good benefits program helps attract good employees, while 94% believe good benefits keep employees from leaving.
- Nearly three-quarters of the employers responding felt there is a definite role for the federal government to play regarding health: requiring the disclosure of cost and quality information of hospitals and physicians.
“On an encouraging note, there is a trend of employers implementing wellness and health management strategies that they feel are having a positive impact on chronic conditions and the effectiveness of these programs in general,” says William Stafford, UBA’s V.P. of Member Services.
Copies of the UBA 2011 Benefit Opinions Survey are available for purchase after May 1 by downloading the order form or through the nearest UBA member firm listed on the UBA
