Report: Fewer in W.Va. get insurance through work
Report: Fewer in W.Va. getting health insurance through employers; fewer offer coverage
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A new report shows fewer West Virginians are getting health insurance through their employer.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report released Thursday says about 59 percent of West Virginia residents got their insurance through a job in 2011. That's down from 64 percent in 2000.
Foundation officials say higher costs translate to fewer employers offering insurance coverage, and fewer employees accepting it when it is offered.
They say that's why it is so important that people have options for purchasing affordable health insurance that meets their needs.
Researchers say factors like decreases in overall employment and rising premium costs contributed to the declines.
The report was prepared by researchers at the University of Minnesota's State Health Access Data Assistance Center.
