WASHINGTON, D.C. – From 2000 to 2009, family health care premiums in Ohio rose about seven times faster than workers’ earnings, according to a report (pdf) released Thursday by Families USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for affordable health care.
The report notes that the average annual health insurance premium for family coverage rose from $6,596 to $12,145 – an increase of 84.1 percent. Meanwhile, median earnings rose from $25,017 to $27,936 – an increase of just 11.7 percent.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
“Rising health care costs threaten the financial well-being of families in Ohio and across the nation,” Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, said in a statement. “If health care reform does not happen soon, more and more families will be priced out of the health coverage they used to take for granted.”
Nationally, family health care premiums rose 93 percent during the same time period, while workers’ median earnings rose only 19 percent, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Families USA documents changes in workers’ earnings and insurance premiums on a state-specific basis.
More stories worth a read:
- New tax in Senate health plan draws bipartisan fire (New York Times)
- President Barack Obama seeks alternative ways to reduce medical malpractice suits – including saying ‘I’m sorry’ (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- Many industry groups favor Baucus plan (Kaiser Health News)
- Lack of insurance linked to 45,000 deaths (White Coat Notes)
- Dizziness and cough? We’re dropping your insurance (Wall Street Journal)
- Health insurers defend coverage decisions at Dennis Kucinich congressional hearing (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- Medical editors push for crackdown on ghostwriting (New York Times)
- Biotech tries to shrug off setbacks (New York Times)
- Web site shows what health insurers pay Minnesota doctors, clinics (American Medical News)
- OSU Medical Center expansion gets initial OK (Business First of Columbus)
- Calypso Medical raises $50M to strengthen pinpointed radiation therapy for cancer (Xconomy | Seattle)
- Autism gets a boost: Seaside Therapeutics raises $30M to develop first drugs that might work (Xconomy | Boston)