California Employers and Consumers Respond to Changing Health Benefits

Harris Interactive

As health care costs continue a pattern of double-digit annual increases, employers and consumers alike are feeling the effects, according to recent surveys conducted by Harris Interactive of California employers, consumers, and those with chronic illness.

Employers say they feel that costs are more under control today than they were two years ago, but increasingly are concerned about the negative consequences of employee cost-sharing measures. Not surprisingly, consumers are less satisfied with their health benefits than they were two years ago and are particularly worried about not being able to pay for the portion of health care services that must come out of their own pocket. Also, a significant percentage of people with chronic illnesses, particularly those with lower incomes and poorer health, report having problems paying their medical bills, and some are skipping recommended care as a way of controlling costs.

In an examination of the effects of changing health care benefits and cost control strategies on these groups, the reports include insights on:

Actions taken by employers to control costs;
Anticipated changes to retiree health benefits;
Responses by consumers to increased costs;
Health benefit changes experienced by those with chronic conditions;
Response of the chronically ill to higher out of pocket costs; and
Consumer attitudes toward and use of quality of care ratings.

The chart packs are available in PDF format via the first two links below.

Note: In addition to the new surveys, two issue briefs published in 2003 provide additional perspective on these issues.