Community | March 17, 2010 | 7 comments

Workers' share of health care costs spiked 70% in 10 years, study finds

source: http://www.pressherald.com/news/workers-share-of-health-care-costs-spiked-70_-in-10-years-st...

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WakeUpPeople

http://www.pressherald.com/news/workers-share-of-health-care-costs-sp...

While Congress argues over how to extend health insurance to the growing number of people without it, most Maine businesses and workers struggle with a different problem: how to afford the insurance they have.

The average cost of health coverage through employers' plans in Maine grew nearly 70 percent from 1999 through 2008, according to a study released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Maine's median household income grew only 0.2 percent during the same period.

"It's been a nightmare," said Rick Snow, co-owner of Maine Indoor Karting in Scarborough.

The company's health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2003, he said, even though it dropped prescription drug coverage and increased the amounts that employees pay through co-pays and deductibles.

Family coverage, for example, has increased from $471 a month in 2003 to $809 a month now, and the cost shows no sign of slowing down. "We had a 30 percent increase in July," Snow said.

The foundation's report is adjusted for inflation, which means it shows how much faster insurance premiums have risen than other expenses.

"The high cost of health insurance has been the number one issue for small businesses since the late 1980s, and it just gets worse," said David Clough, Maine director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

To keep up, companies typically pass on more of the cost to employees or forgo other employee benefits, he said.
  1. groups:
    Community,   US Politics,   Progressive America,   Humanism,   2 more
  2. tags:
    Health Care Reform,  Insurance Costs
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7 comments // Workers' share of health care costs spiked 70% in 10 years, study finds

  • Maeveeo
    • 0
      Maeveeo  

    • So is this why the REPUBS are so mad ? cause they can't lobby for insurance compaines to TAKE YOUR MONEY cause they pay the REPUBS for this ! In case you did not know ! Thats the Main Reason for all this shit & they say how will we pay for it !!!!!! they have been lining there pockets with MONEY they get from the insurance people , & where do they get there money from ?? YOU !
      Well No More ,,,,,thanks Obama !

    • 3 years ago
  • satan_lucifer
    • 0
      satan_lucifer  

    • American public know this! No matter what the government or the health care companies say, it's all about them and it's not ABOUT YOU!!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA GET RID OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND THE MORAL IDIOTS AND MAKE THE U.S. AN OPEN MINDED PLACE TO LIVE AGAIN. I (FOR ONE) AM NOT AFRAID OF ANY TERRORISTS AND REFUSE TO LIVE IN FEAR AND BE RULED BY FEAR AND INSECURITY. I DON'T LIKE THIS POST APOCALYPTIC FEAR STATE WE LIVE IN THAT SAYS TO BE AFRAID OF EVERYTHING. WHEN IS THE WORLD GOING TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT 911 WAS STAGED!!!!!!!!!!

      F**K YOU TERRORISTS!!!!!

      F**K YOU BUSHES!!!!!!!!

      NO COST HEALTH CARE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

      MAKE THE GOVERNMENT MAKES THE GREEDY ASSHOLES TAKE A PAY CUT AND OFFER HIGH QUALITY SERVICES FOR LOW PRICES, JUST LIKE WALMART!
      WALMART DID IT TO ALL THE SMALL MERCHANTS. WALMART CAN DO IT TO THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY TOO!

      NOW GET TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!

      S.

    • 3 years ago
  • Elligirl
    • 0
      Elligirl  

    • The shame is that even if people put that $1000 into a savings account each month instead of towards insurance, the amount amassed wouldn't come close to paying for any kind of real medical treatment that came up.

    • 3 years ago
  • Bushido
    • +1
      Bushido  

    • Just wait until we are all mandated to have health insurance AND there is no public option. At least prison will provide minimum wage earners who cannot afford both with food and health care simultaneously.

    • 3 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • My husband's company switched to a $4,000.00 deductible. That's per year! Our premium is slightly higher than it was when we had a $15.00 copay. What has happened during the last 10 years should be criminal. Unfortunately in America there is no accountability, no shame and no compassion. It's shameful, but people are so busy in campaign mode, justice has been kicked to the curb. Sad, sad, sad!

    • 3 years ago
  • WakeUpPeople
  • judychrz
    • 0
      judychrz  

    • In MA I had to change policies because we're required to have prescription coverage, but the newer policy cost more and had less coverage overall. Out of pocket for a "bronze" (compared to silver/gold) level family plan is almost $1000 a month. It's ridiculous. What exactly in the current bill will bring the "workers' share of health care costs" down? Probably nada...

    • 3 years ago

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