Middle Class Feels Pinch Of Health Care Costs As Out-Of-Pocket Expenses Rise
The Wall Street Journal reports that the burden of health care costs is shifting in greater part to working middle-class families, in large part because of higher deductibles in insurance plans.
The Wall Street Journal:
Burden Of Health-Care Costs Moves To The Middle Class
Growth in overall health-care spending is slowing, but middle-class families’ share of the tab is getting larger, squeezing households already feeling stretched financially. Overall, health-care spending across the economy reached 18.2% of gross domestic product as of June, up from 13.3% in 2000, according to Altarum Institute, a health research group. (Sussman, 8/25)
The Wall Street Journal:
5 Things To Know About Health-Care Spending In The U.S.
Despite a slowdown in the growth rate of overall national health expenditures, Americans are seeing more of their paychecks go to health-care costs. The increase is largely thanks to cost-shifting through higher deductibles in plans offered by employers, which cover the majority of workers and their families. The trend has hit middle-income households the hardest. Here are five things to know about trends in U.S. health-care spending. (Sussman, 8/25)
And in other consumer costs news —
Kaiser Health News:
Report For State Insurance Commissioners Offers Options To Improve Drug Access
As prescription drug costs continue to rise, ensuring that consumers have access to the drugs they need is a growing concern. Insurers blame the drug companies for high prices while drug companies blame insurers for restrictive plans. Consumers are stuck in the middle picking up a higher tab. Now a new study highlights strategies for states to help consumers in this tug of war. (Andrews, 8/26)