Cost Of Insurance Outpaces Income By 10X

The cost of family health insurance has increased 10 times faster than many workers’ incomes, according to a new study. The analysis was released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a nationwide research organization dedicated to health and health care.

According to the study, there was a 30 percent increase in cost from 2001-2005 in what employees paid for family health coverage, yet those policyholders only received a 3 percent increase in their wages during that time.

“Many micro-business owners must turn to the coverage offered by a spouse’s employer or are forced to go without coverage entirely,” said Kristie Darien, executive director of the NASE legislative offices. “Our lawmakers must provide workable solutions to help remedy what has become a dire need for many individuals.”

With 47 million uninsured individuals across the nation, improving access to health care has been a particular priority of the 2008 presidential candidates. Learn more about where they stand on health care reform and other micro-business issues at the NASE Election Watch 2008 site.