Health insurance premiums in Hawaii outpacing income

WASHINGTON - Health insurance premiums for families to Hawaii for more than three times faster than workers' salaries from 2000 to 2007, according to a study published yesterday.
The Families USA study found that the annual premiums for family health care provided through the workplace in Hawai'i rose to 10,001 U.S. dollars from 6047 U.S. dollars in the period - more than 65 percent.

During the same period, the median salaries of employees rose to 31,252 U.S. dollars from 26,180 U.S. dollars - more than 19 percent, according to the study.

Families USA, a national group that advocates for affordable health care, said Hawai'i families paying an increasing share of their income for health insurance, and in some cases, fewer and fewer of them.

"It's a bigger slice of your family budget," said Kathleen Stoll, deputy executive director for the Washington Group.

The group reported that employers are also dealing with higher premiums, shifting more of the premium costs for workers, and considering health coverage with lower premiums but fewer benefits or higher co-payments.

As a result, the average proportion of the annual premiums paid by workers paid for family coverage has more than doubled to $ 2630 $ 1311 made.

The average cost of Hawai'i employers for family coverage rose to 7,371 U.S. dollars by 4735 U.S. dollars, or around 56 percent.

"The results of the study of the situation in Hawai'i is a mirror image of what happens nationwide has been more than a decade," said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii.

Inouye said that is why he has been working for years with Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., And Ron Wyden, D-Ore., The comprehensive health legislation.

Polls show nearly three-quarters of voters nationwide rate health care as a very important issue for the presidential campaign. Families USA said its national report shows why federal leadership and health care reform should be the country No. 1 domestic priority.

Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama's proposal would subsidize coverage for millions who might not be able to afford healthcare facilities differently. He would also refundable tax credits for small businesses, health plans.

Under his plan, GOP nominee Sen. John McCain would give individuals more control over spending on health care and tax credits to help people buy insurance.

I agree with Senator Obama that health care should be seen as a right, not a privilege, "said Rep. Mazie HIRONO, D-Hawaii." The current health care system in this country is not for patients, doctors, or employers. Changes must be made. "

HIRONO said lawmakers should be examining every option that might be a better, more affordable health care and examine what states and other countries do.

"This is a complex issue and it requires dedicated people to work across party lines to deliver solutions," she said.

The study said that the number of uninsured persons under 65 years in the state is about 100,000, roughly 9.2 percent of the population that the study said. However, the State Department of Human Services, says only 7.5 percent of Hawai'i of people under 65 are uninsured - the lowest rate of uninsurance in the nation.

"Would I say, Hawaii is in better condition than the rest of the nation? Yes," said Stoll.

"Would I say, Hawaii is in a good condition? No. It (health insurance) is still a growing part of the family budget pie."

The study is based on data from the Census Bureau, the Ministry of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services.