Supreme Court can’t stop rising health costs

Jun 29, 2012, 11:07 AM
...

The Supreme Court ruled the Affordable Care Act is
constitutional, but insurance premiums will continue to
rise, according to SmartMoney.

Massachusetts adopted an individual health insurance
mandate in 2006, similar to President Barack Obama’s
individual mandate, according to the article. But in the
three years since the state’s reform, insurance premiums
have risen by 18 percent for a single plan, 5 percentage
points more than the national average, according to a
report by Consumer Watchdog.
Prices for family plans in Massachusetts went up by
almost 20 percent, while the national average for those
plans rose 14.5 percent.

Health insurance premiums are rising on employer-sponsored
plans as well, according to SmartMoney. Premiums for
family health insurance plans rose by 50 percent from 2003
to 2010, and employees paid more than 60 percent more
toward their insurance, according to a Commonwealth Fund
survey. The survey also says that increases in income were
smaller than health insurance premium cost increases in
every state during that time frame.

EMAIL:
bbullock@desnews.com

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

West Clear Creek Wilderness...
KTAR.com

Woman falls to death off cliff in Arizona wilderness area

A 44-year-old woman fell to her death from a cliff in an Arizona wilderness area this week, authorities said Wednesday.
12 hours ago
(KTAR News Photo/Taylor Tasler)...
KTAR.com

Here’s why gas prices are rising in metro Phoenix, across Arizona

Gas prices are surging in metro Phoenix and across Arizona and a fuel industry expert says there is a main reason for it.
12 hours ago
(Twitter Photo/@joss_berry)...
Kevin Stone

Aide to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs resigns after controversial tweet

An aide to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has resigned after creating a controversy with a tweet in the wake of the Nashville shooting.
12 hours ago
(Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)...
Associated Press

Investigators cite driver fatigue as cause of deadly 2021 Phoenix milk tanker crash

A milk truck-tanker crash that killed four people and injured several others on a Phoenix freeway in 2021 was caused by driver fatigue, U.S. transportation investigators said Tuesday.
12 hours ago
(KTAR News Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Taylor Tasler

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks on prison priority, problems and plans for reform

In an exclusive interview, Katie Hobbs spoke on why she has made state prisons a priority, problems she's encountered and plans for reforming the system.
12 hours ago
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...
SuElen Rivera

Phoenix restaurant owner says long ‘way to go’ following judge’s homeless encampment decision

A judge has ordered Phoenix to find a solution for a large homeless camp, but a local restaurant owner said it could be a while before progress is seen.
12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...
Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.
(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
Supreme Court can’t stop rising health costs