News For: Maternity health Insurance NcHealth insurance costs grow 5% in '08 Health insurance premiums rose a modest 5% this year for coverage that's getting skimpier, researchers say. Health Insurance Costs Climb Again Kaiser study: Health insurance premiums and deductibles are up again this year. 24% of U.S. families say paying for health care is a "serious problem." Health insurance costs grow more gradually in 2008 Health insurance premiums rose a modest 5 percent this year for coverage that's getting skimpier, researchers say. The 5 percent increase was comparable to last year's uptick. Overall, premiums for family coverage increased to $12,680 and premiums for single coverage increased to $4,704, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust. 2009 health-insurance forecast: Less coverage, more cost Most workers will see "skimpier and less comprehensive" employer-based health insurance coverage next year, according to an outlook released today. Democratic Presidential Nominee Obama Releases New Ad Criticizing GOP Nominee McCain On Health Insurance Regulation Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama Ill. on Monday released an advertisement that criticized Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain Ariz. for his views on health care and an article in which he discusses regulation of the health insurance market, the Boston Globe's "Political Intelligence" reports Rhee, "Political Intelligence," Boston Globe, 9/22. Australian Senate defeats health insurance changes CANBERRA, Sept 24 Reuters - The upper house of Australia's parliament voted down government plans to make it easier for people to abandon private health insurance on Wednesday, in a move that could bring relief to some listed health insurers. New Bedford area lags in health insurance enrollments BOSTON ��� SouthCoast is seeing some gains under Massachusetts' new health insurance mandate, but the poorest parts of the region are lagging behind the state average, according to health care officials. Higher health costs eat salaries Feeling a bigger bite out of your paycheck? Health insurance costs are a major culprit, according to a survey released Wednesday. Workers pay more for less health care coverage WASHINGTON ��� Premiums for job-based health insurance are up 5 percent in 2008 and have more than doubled since 1999, a growth rate that far outpaces inflation and the increase in workers' wages over the same period, according to an annual survey of employers. Health-care costs to rise in '09 Get ready to add ''health care'' to the list of things that probably will cost you more next year. A national survey released Wednesday reveals that 40 percent of companies say they're ''very likely'' or ''somewhat likely'' to increase the amount employees pay for their health insurance in 2009. |

