A thriving economy depends on many factors — one of them is the health of the workforce. Access to adequate health insurance and a reliable source of care help workers maintain their health rather than react to health crises or chronic health conditions that could have been prevented. Employer-provided health benefits are the most proactive way that businesses can ensure a stable, healthy workforce.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
According to UCLA's 2007 California Health Interview Survey, 91 percent of Bay Area residents have health insurance, holding steady from the 2005 survey. Among the nonelderly population (aged 0-64) in 2007, 91 percent are also insured. While the number of those insured are holding relatively steady, there is more variation in the types of insurance coverage. The majority of Bay Area residents receive employment-based health insurance; the number receiving employment-based insurance, however, is decreasing, causing utilization of other types of insurance such as public or privately purchased insurance to rise. This is also true in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Between 2005 and 2007, the percentage of those with employer-provided insurance decreased from 73.9 percent to 69.7 percent in Alameda and from 75.6 percent to 70.1 percent in Contra Costa.
NONELDERLY INSURANCE COVERAGE
Access to health insurance and a reliable source of care enables workers to proactively maintain their health rather than reacting to health crises or chronic health conditions that could have been prevented. According to UCLA's 2007 California Health Interview Survey, 91 percent of nonelderly Bay Area residents have health insurance. In Alameda County, 92.2% of residents are covered and 91.2% of Contra Costa County residents are covered.
HEALTH BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY
Maintaining a healthy community is important for individuals and also for the economy. A productive workforce relies on workers’ ability to be present and perform their assigned tasks. Businesses can improve the likelihood that employees manage their health by offering health benefits. The majority of working individuals receive health benefits from their employers. For more vulnerable populations, particularly those with incomes at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Line, insurance coverage becomes more critical since days lost as a result of illness have a larger impact on their income. Due to rising health care costs, some employers are reducing or eliminating health care coverage. The percentage of workers with incomes at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Line who either are not eligible for or whose employers do not offer any health benefits increased from 2005 to 2007. In Alameda County, it increased from 41.5% to 43.1% and from 43.9% to 47.2% in Contra Costa County. Employer-Provided Benefits
EMPLOYER-PROVIDED BENEFITS
In a declining economy, many employers explore cost-cutting measures. Due to rising health care costs, some employers are reducing or eliminating health care coverage. Such coverage is especially important for those households that struggle to make ends meet. The percentage of workers with incomes at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) who either are not eligible for or whose employers do not offer any health benefits increased from 2005 to 2007. In Alameda County, this number increased from 41.5 percent to 43.1 percent and from 43.9 percent to 47.2 percent in Contra Costa County. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, health insurance is the fastest growing cost component for employers. In 2008, employer health care premiums increased by 5.0 percent, twice the rate of inflation1. As a result, workers have also been faced with rising premiums as well, paying $1,600 more each year on average for family coverage than in 19992.
DIABETES DIAGNOSIS
Chronic health conditions such as diabetes adversely affect both people and the economy. Because treatment involves medications, physician visits and hospitalizations, proper monitoring and prevention would decrease costs incurred by individuals, businesses and government. Employers are impacted by increased insurance premiums and lost productivity as this condition can result in higher risks for absenteeism, disability and premature death. Diabetes incidence is on the rise throughout the Bay Area and California. In 2007, nearly 10% of the population in Alameda County was diagnosed as either having diabetes, borderline diabetes or pre-diabetes, above the Bay Area average of 8.7%. In Contra Costa County, just over 8% were diagnosed. Diabetes requires careful management to avoid life-threatening complications. The swift rise in obesity and related physical activity levels, as well as possible exposure to diabetes in utero may be major contributors to this increase.
PERCENT OF POPULATION OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE
Chronic health conditions such as obesity adversely affect both people and the economy. There are many health risks related to being overweight or obese, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and depression. Because treatment of these associated health risks involve medications, physician visits and hospitalizations, proper monitoring and prevention would decrease costs incurred by individuals, businesses and government. Employers are impacted by increased insurance premiums and lost productivity as this condition can result in higher risks for absenteeism, disability and premature death. In 2007, the percentage of people considered overweight or obese in Alameda County increased from 48.3% in 2005 to 51.9%. In Contra Costa County, the percentage dropped from 59.4% in 2005 to 55.1% in 2007.
ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS
Chronic health conditions such as asthma adversely affect both people and the economy. Because treatment involves medications, physician visits and hospitalizations, proper monitoring and prevention would decrease costs incurred by individuals, businesses and government. Employers are impacted by increased insurance premiums and lost productivity as this condition can result in higher risks for absenteeism, disability and premature death. Asthma diagnoses in the Bay Area have increased steadily since 2001, peaking in 2005 at 13.6%. Contra Costa County followed this trend, peaking at 18.5% in 2005 and dropping to 14.5% in 2007. The percentage of the population in Alameda County diagnosed with asthma, however, continued to rise in 2007 and increased 2.6% from 14% in 2005.
1 National Coalition on Health Care, "NCHC
| Facts About Healthcare - Health Insurance Costs."
2 National Coalition on Health Care, "NCHC
| Facts About Healthcare - Health Insurance Costs."