State: Fewer employers offering health care

Fewer employers in Washington state offered health insurance to employees last year, according to data from the Employment Security Department.

The 1.6 percent drop wasn't huge, but it was noticeable. In 2008, 56.5 percent of employers offered health insurance. Last year, it was 54.9 percent.

That follows a drop of nearly 10 percent in 2008, not to mention declines in three years prior.

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“Companies are continuing to cut back where they can, while still trying to keep their employees,” Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee said. “Unfortunately, employee benefits are a victim of the economy and rising costs.”

The agency released the report Monday. Among other things, it shows that the average medical-insurance premiums for employees increased from $358 per month to $366 per month. And employers covered less of that cost in 2009.

But there's a bright side. More employers offered some kind of retirement plan in 2009, and the report also shows they were more generous with paid days off.