Health premiums soar faster than income

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON -- Indiana workers and those in 34 other states saw health insurance premiums rise nearly three times faster than average earnings in the past four years, a study based on federal data shows.

Premium costs for private health insurance coverage grew 35.9 percent from 2000 to 2004, while average individual earnings grew 12.4 percent, according to the report. Health premiums paid by Hoosier workers rose by nearly 40 percent during that same period, while average earnings increased just 12 percent.

The analysis by the Lewin Group, a private health economics consulting firm, was done for Families USA, a consumer-oriented health advocacy group that has supported Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's health care proposals.

The findings are similar to those of nonpartisan entities such as the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commerce Department.

Americans are spending a major portion of their annual incomes on health care, too. From 2000 to 2004, the number whose health care costs exceed one-fourth of their earnings rose to 14.3 million from 11.6 million.

http://www.indystar.com/articles/5/182435-4975-P.html

[goddess40]

1. but you got that wonderful tax cut so stop whining

Some people are so stupid I'm amazed they can breath.
Many of the 'security moms' that I have the displeasure of knowing think that itty bitty tax break that some of us got make up for the outrageous increases many business's tacked on.

[RedEarth]

4. My wife and I were talking about the same thing last night...

if "security moms" are truly concerned about the welfare of their children they would focus on education, health care and the environment......those are the three major issues that will affect the long term security of their children, not pre-emptitive wars.

[HuckleB]

2. I think we all knew that.

The studies that are needed should address why, so we can begin to address the problem.

[MsConduct]

3. They're just now figuring that out? LOL n/t