FACT SHEET: The Future of Employer-Based Coverage in California
The way that most Californians get health coverage is becoming endangered.
* EMPLOYERS ARE THE PILLAR OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM: Most
Californians—over 18 million—get health coverage through their employer, or
that of a family member. Of the rest of the state’s 36 million residents, over 10 million
get coverage from the public insurance programs like Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Healthy
Families. This leaves over 6 million are uninsured. (Only one million purchase health
coverage as individuals, either because it is unaffordable or unavailable.) Employerbased
coverage is the main pillar of our health care system.