Still wondering why almost every candidate for President has his or her own idea of a new health care plan? Obviously the public is ready. They're not crazy about the idea of paying for health insurance themselves, even if their employer gave them money to help pay for it.

That's just one of the none-too-surprising findings in this year's Health Confidence Survey, conducted biennially by the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI).

Three-quarters of those surveyed (76%) valued employer-provided health care so highly that they said they would prefer employer-based health benefits to a $7,500 taxable increase in income. When asked how much income they would want if their employer asked them to give up employer-based coverage, they responded they want $12,000 in taxable income.

Forty-two percent of those surveyed also believe that all employers, regardless of size should be mandated to offer employer-based health insurance. Wow, employer-based health insurance is becoming a very highly valued commodity. Not surprising though. Even if one can afford to pay for it, they often can't qualify for individual health insurance because of alleged cherry-picking by health insurance companies.

Besides, according to the survey, only 16% were extremely confident or very confident that they could afford to purchase health insurance on their own in any case. As many as 32% said they were not at all confident they could afford it.

This year's survey was underwritten by 15 private organizations and public companies, including AARP, American Express (NYSE: AXP), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Proctor and Gamble (NYSE: PG). Wonder if the companies are listening.

Fifty percent of the people surveyed reported that they delayed going to the doctor and 64% reported that they only went to the doctor for serious conditions or symptoms. That's a 10% increase over the 2005 survey that indicated 54% only went to the doctor for serious conditions or symptoms and 40% delayed treatment.

More than 60% of people surveyed reported an increase in their costs of health insurance, but the increasing costs are driving people to take better care of themselves (81%) and talk more carefully about treatment options and costs (66%). Health insurance costs are driving some people to put less toward retirement (30%) and other savings (52%). For some the cost increases made it difficult to pay for basic necessities (29%) and other bills (36%).

While 51% were extremely or very satisfied with health care quality only 18% were satisfied with its costs and only 16% were satisfied with the costs of care not covered by insurance. Six in 10 rated the health care system as fair (29%) or poor (30%). Many feel the health care system requires a major changes (47%) and 24% thinks it needs a complete overhaul.

Lita Epstein has written more than 20 books including the "Complete idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare."