“Kaisernetwork.org provides quick access to timely, reliable, and non-partisan information on national health issues through daily news summaries, webcasts, transcripts, access to public opinion data, and much more.” (from their website). The statistics from this report are scary and should give all of us cause for concern. Below are some statistics from their report Trends and Indicators in the Changing Health Care Marketplace which is available on their website.
Annual private employer-sponsored insurance premiums averaged $3,695 for single coverage and $9,950 for family coverage in 2004. Broken down into monthly figures these numbers are $308/month for a single person and $830/month for a family.
From 2001-2004, average earnings increased 4%, 2.6%, 3%, 2.2% respectively. Over the same period, health insurance premiums increased 10.9, 11.9, 12.9 and 13.2% respectively. At their lowest level, health insurance premiums increased 2.5 times faster than wages.
From 1996-2004, the average annual increase in health plan premiums was 8.5%.
For those of you who think national health care is a bad idea, here is some very bad news: the public sector already pays for 44.2% of health expenditures.
The percent of the nonelderly population without insurance rose from 17.3% in 2002 to 17.7% in 2003 (or 44.7 million uninsured), an increase of 1.4 million over 2002. The proportion of Americans with employer-based insurance declined from 63.3% in 2002 to 61.9% in 2003.
The percentage of firms with 3-199 employees that offer health insurance decreased from 68%-63% from 2002-2004.
Only 23 percent of part-time workers have access to their employer’s health insurance.
In 2004, the average annual increase for retiree health care costs was 11%
The average annual weighted retiree cost increase in 2004 was 24%.
Do you think maybe it’s time to deal with this problem?
way past time to deal with it, and that’s part of the problem, it did’nt get fixed, when it should’ve
great info, and thanks, RECOMMENDED
Once again, you’ve provided some invaluable numbers here, bonddad. We’re fighting hard to keep our system as public as possible here in Canada and these stats show exactly why it should stay that way.
would put together a 15-30 minute presentation about single payer universal healtcare. It should have charts and graphs because they help us visual learners.
I can’t put it together but I can present it, I happen to be a very good public speaker and I like public speaking.
If someone would put together a presentation and teach a few of us the finer details, I could see an organization that would do nothing but present the idea to townhall meetings etc… I don’t think we can wait for politicians to campaign on the issue.
I have seen some good arguments that show how Government healthcare would also be good for big business and we know it will be great for small business.
The only group that would be hurt would be insurance companies.
Please, if you are a wonk of the healthcare variety or if you know someone, ask them to do this. I will travel the country and give the presentation and I will find a way to fund the effort.
They voted greatest-Canadian-ever the creator of their national health system. There may already exist an online primer to the Canadian system.
Republicans like to talk about those Canadians who like to cross the border to get certain procedures down here.
I say “fine–let’s run a test.” Open the border so that Americans can cross over for free routine doctor visits and let’s see which way the traffic is greatest.
We already know the response to Canadian drug prices.
<crickets_sounding>
Canadians voted the creator of Canandian healthcare the greatest Canadian ever! When I talk to people here they love to say how canadians are not happy with Universal Healthcare.
Greatest Canadian.
In November 2004, Canadians voted Tommy Douglas the Greatest Canadian of all time following a nationwide contest.
http://www.cbsnews.com :
WHICH ONE IS MOST IMPORTANT?
Health care
28%
Education
22
Jobs
20
Budget deficit
14
Social Security
14
All I have to do is look at my paycheck to know that there is a crisis. I’m paying over $700 a month for health insurance for a family of 3 – that is insane.
independent contractor I’m not eligible for my employer’s health insurance, and I really don’t make enough to pay for coverage myself. I’ve been without insurance since 1999.