Health care lower rate increase no relief

Hewitt Associates issued a press release Oct 10 of their survey finding that "U.S. companies continue to face significant health care cost increases, but 2005’s is the lowest rate increase in six years." However, the survey continues, "Employees’ contributions for health care have steadily increased, nearly doubling since 2002." Furthermore, health care is growing almost three times faster than wages, adding to rising out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

Employers and Employees Struggle With Health Care Costs; Rate Hikes Continue to Outpace Inflation and Salary Increases
(available in HTML and PDF, 164K, from Hewitt)