gethealthy

Facing what now seems like an inevitable recession, American’s budgets are being stretched more than ever, medical costs being no exception.   Many Americans, who at one time didn’t have to worry about how to pay for health insurance are now finding it to be a larger chunk of their income than it once was.

Families USA released a report recently that states that healthcare premiums in the United States are raising at a faster rate than income.  Since 2000, the average cost for family insurance has increased 78% and went from $6,672 to $12,078 in 2007.  However, income has only increased by 15% over the 7 year period according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  This of course means that many people who could afford health insurance at one time are now no longer able to afford it.  Currently, there are 45 million people in America who are uninsured simply because they cannot afford it.

With the price of other regular costs such as gas and food rising, healthcare is being cast aside because cost must be cut somewhere.  This may mean missing a much needed examination or test, not filling a prescription, or rationing dosages of prescribed medications, or even not going to the doctor at all.  In a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Foundation, about 50% of those who responded admitted to avoiding a necessary health care treatment due to the costs involved.
It seems American companies are continuing to pass extra healthcare costs to the employee. It  also seems as though American workers are facing a triple whammy.  As healthcare premiums rise, business’ are passing more costs onto the employee, and because there is an increase in the cost to the employer they are holding back on wage increases.