Workers left to foot the medical bills

Although many employers offer health insurance, some employees can't afford it, even with the contributions from the employer. I spoke with a teller at a bank this week, same story, she would love to have insurance, but can't afford it. BD

About 8.7 million of California's adult workers are not covered by an insurance plan sponsored by their employer, and 2.9 million of those have no health coverage at all, according to a report set to be released today by the Center on Policy Initiatives in San Diego.

Cook Cesar Ruiz and bartender Lindsey Newcomb worked at O'Brien's pub in Kearny Mesa. The two said they've never had health insurance in the service industry.
Authors of the study said the results demonstrate the troubling effect of rising health care costs that have prompted many businesses to drop employee insurance coverage or raise employee shares of health insurance premiums to unaffordable levels.