Cost of Insuring Workers' Health Increases 11.2%

This is not good news:

The cost of providing health care to employees has risen 11.2 percent this year, according to the results of an authoritative national survey reported yesterday.

It was the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases in health insurance premiums, which has resulted in a steady decline in the number of the nation's workers and their families receiving employer health care coverage.
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Health premiums are rising faster than the underlying cost of doctor and hospital care, as consolidation in the insurance industry has given insurers greater clout.
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Small businesses are being especially hard hit as the average family coverage in preferred provider networks, the most common type of health plan, has risen to $10,217, with employees paying $2,691 of the total. In response to the soaring costs, many small companies are simply no longer offering coverage of a worker's spouse and children.

Compare John Kerry's healthcare proposals with those of George Bush:

Kerry: Give small businesses tax credits to cover up to 50% of premiums for low to moderate income workers.

Bush: Supports Associated Health Plans that will increase health care costs for small businesses.

Kerry: Allow individuals to buy into the Congressional Health Plan to ensure access to quality coverage, as well as provide tax credits to make it more affordable.

Bush: Create Health Savings Accounts that would increase out-of-pocket costs for workers.

Read the rest for yourself and see who's addressing the real issues faced by most Americans.