Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 24, 2008 11:58:05 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Health Costs Hurt Insured Americans, Too

Posted May 4, 08 2:31 PM CDT in US,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Even Americans with health insurance are ducking the doctor these days as health costs rise and the economy stays queasy, the New York Times reports. Family premiums have doubled in recent years, and out-of-pocket costs have gone up, too: “It just keeps eating into people’s income,” said a utility worker in Tucson whose medical bills have risen by about $4,000 a year.

Meanwhile, salaries have remained stagnant, which forces families to spend about 20% of their income on health care. And that coverage often won't cover health problems that crop up. Parents "are waiting longer to bring in their children," one doctor said. "They say, ‘The kid isn’t that sick; her temperature is only 102.'"

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, will continue to advocate for universal and quality health care for Americans.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)
Rising co-pay and other health care costs mean that more parents are putting off bringing their children to the doctor.   (Flickr)
More Americans are having trouble making the deductibles on health coverage for major injuries or surgeries, making health care a burden even on the insured.   (Flickr)
Chelsea Clinton presents her mother's health care proposals during a campaign event in Brownsburg, Ind. Thursday, May 1, 2008. Even the insured are having difficulty with health costs.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Health care as a campaign issue

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

US economy  • health care  • health care costs  • income  • health insurance premiums  • health insurance costs  • medical bills


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »