Saving Jobs, Economy And Middle Class Security (NAPSA)—A new set of reforms could provide health care coverage for all Americans and prevent a fiscal crisis that threatens jobs, benefits, pensions, wages, and the overall economy, says a national health care group. The majority of Americans receive their health insurance coverage through their employers. Yet such coverage is rapidly decreasing because the cost of health insuranceis rising. In 2001, the average health insurance premium for employer- sponsored health care coverage was $7,053, according to the National Coalition on Health Care. But premiumsare rising so quickly that the Coalition predicts Average Annual Premiums for Employer-Sponsored Family Health $16,000 14,565 914,26: $14,000 $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $9,068 $7,053 $4,000 $2,000 $0 -Proiected 2001 a 2003 2008" that the same health care cover- As the cost of health insurance premiums rise, some companies may drop coverage. increase of more than 50 percent cans without health insurance. Insurance costs are rising for a number of reasons, including the rising cost of health care, poor qual- reduce the numberof people they planned to hire or limit wage, pension, and benefits increases. Still new technologies and prescription drugs, which are generally more market their companies are less competitive than those from countries with lower health care costs. In its most recent report, age will cost $14,545 in 2006—an in just five years. ity care and waste. Doctors and patients are also using more and expensive than existing therapies, although not always moreeffective. For these reasons and others, America spends more on health care than any other industrialized adding to the 45 million AmeriOthers have been forced to others have found that on the global “Building a Better Health Care System,” the National Coalition on Health Care lays out an ambitious and comprehensive set of nation in the world and yet gener- reforms which, if enacted, would health care issue—theyalso affect quality, safety, and value of health As costs rise and health insurance premiums increase, many Health Care is the nation’s largest ally receives no better outcomes. These rising costs aren’t just a America’s economy and create huge budgetdeficits. companies are forced to increase the deductibles, co-payments, or contributions for their company health care plans. Many have had to reduce or eliminate their employee health care coverage, provide universal insurance cover- age, dramatically improve the care, and controlcosts. The National Coalition on and most broadly representative non-partisan, non-profit alliance of eroups working for comprehensive health care reform. To learn more about the Coalition and its work, go to its Web site at www.nchc.org or call 202-638-7151.
