Lowest-paid workers have least access to benefits

Approximately 70 percent of private-industry workers have access to an employer-sponsored medical plan; however, only one-quarter of the lowest paid workers have the same access. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “nearly all workers with hourly wages in the highest 10 percent of all private industry wages had access to medical care benefits,” while 25 percent of workers with wages in the lowest 10 percent have access. The report defined “access” as the availability of a plan, regardless of an employee’s decision to enroll.

Service workers were far less likely to have access to medical plans (46 percent) than those in management and “professional” positions (86 percent).