Though Unhappy with Health Insurance, Workers Afraid of Losing It

Ninety-five percent said they are somewhat or very concerned about being able to afford health insurance in the coming years, according to a summary of survey results. Almost half overall (48%) and 60% of Latinos indicated they or a family member has stayed in a job to keep health care benefits when they would have preferred changing jobs.

However, 95% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the cost of health care, and 64% indicated being dissatisfied with the quality, the summary said. Three-fourths of respondents had some kind of health care coverage, with about four-fifths of those obtaining it through employers.

Almost two-thirds (61%) who have employer-provided coverage indicated their costs have gotten worse. Half of people in insured families said their coverage does not cover all the care they need at a price they can afford. Prescription drugs were ranked as the most unaffordable element of health care.

The AFL-CIO said the survey results will be shared with candidates for office across the country at every level.

From Jan. 14-March 3, a total of 26,419 people took the online 2008 Health Care for America Survey sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Working America.