US health insurance costs rise for workers, survey finds

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:33 · Archive

Employees paying more for employer-sponsored health insurance this year, according to a KFF survey.

The 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey, released Thursday by KFF, found that covered workers were paying hundreds of dollars more towards their premiums this year compared with last year. Workers at small businesses made up of 10 to 99 employees were especially affected, typically shouldering a larger share of their insurance costs than those at bigger companies.

According to the KFF study, covered workers are paying an average of $7,471 annually towards premiums for employer-sponsored family health benefits this year, representing a rise of roughly 9 per cent or $621 from the previous year. Matthew Rae, associate director of KFF's Program on the Health Care Marketplace, said that 'workers are paying a bigger chunk this year', which he said 'brings up the issue of affordability'.

Almost 157 million Americans under retirement age rely on employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Rising healthcare costs have emerged as an important issue for voters in the midterm elections and are part of broader affordability concerns. An AP-NORC poll conducted in October found that about 7 in 10 registered voters call healthcare 'one of the most important issues' in the election.

How it is being reported

• Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey findsA new survey by healthcare research nonprofit KFF reveals that people relying on employer-sponsored health insurance are paying more for coverage this year.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 12:01
• Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey findsA new survey by healthcare research nonprofit KFF reveals that people relying on employer-sponsored health insurance are paying more for coverage this year.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 12:01

In this story: KFF · Matthew Rae · Donald Trump · United States

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