May 26, 1999 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)
In small firms, blue-collar,
service workers least covered by health care benefits
Medical care was one of the most widespread benefits for
full-time employees in small private establishments. In 1996, nearly two-thirds of workers
participated in medical plans. Other health-related benefits were less widespread: 31
percent were in a dental plan and 12 percent had vision care coverage.
![Participation in health care benefits, full-time employees, small private establishments, 1996](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120925063810im_/http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/images/1999/May/wk4/art02.gif)
[Chart data—TXT]
Participation in medical plans varied widely among occupational groups. About
three-quarters of professional and technical employees were in medical care plans, as were
almost seven of ten clerical and sales employees. Just over half—56 percent—of
blue-collar and service workers were included in medical plans.
Among white-collar workers, 40 percent of professional and technical employees and 35
percent of sales and clerical workers had dental care plans, compared with 24 percent of
blue-collar and service workers. Workers across all occupational groups were about equally
likely to be participants in a vision care benefit.
The Employee Benefits Survey produces data on participation
on a variety of non-wage compensation items. More information on benefits in small firms
is available in Employee Benefits in Small Private Establishments, 1996 BLS
Bulletin 2507,
(PDF 530K).
Of interest
Spotlight on Statistics: National Hispanic Heritage Month
In this Spotlight, we take a look at the Hispanic labor force—including labor force participation, employment and unemployment, educational attainment, geographic location, country of birth, earnings, consumer expenditures, time use, workplace injuries, and employment projections.
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Read more »