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

December 3, 2008 2:00:51 AM CST

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

Related Newser Stories

  • The Win-Win Economics of Medical Tourism

    Aug 15, 08 2:28 PM CDT
    The spread of “medical tourism”—uninsured and underinsured patients seeking cheap health care in Southeast Asia or Latin America—has fueled fears that developing nations will divert resources from state health systems caring for their own citizens. But, the Economist argues, “if governments make the best of the boom, then medical tourism should improve the health of rich and poor alike.”
    More »

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 2)

Tags

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


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »