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Study: Uninsured cost insured $900 more
(6/8/2005)
Source: CNN
48 million Americans will lack health
insurance in 2005
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 Posted: 1:26 PM
EDT (1726 GMT)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Health insurance
premiums will cost families and employers an extra $922 on
average this year to cover the costs of caring for the
uninsured, according to a report released Wednesday.
With the added cost, the yearly premiums
for a family with
employer
sponsored health coverage will average $10,979 in
2005, said the report from consumer group Families USA.
By 2010, the additional costs for the
uninsured will be $1,502, and total premiums will hit
$17,273. In 11 states, the costs of the uninsured will
exceed $2,000 per family.
For individuals the extra charge this
year is estimated to be $341 on average, rising to $532 in
2010. Total premium charges for individuals will be $4,065
in 2005, and $6,115 in 2010.
"The stakes are high both for businesses
and for workers who do have health insurance because they
bear the brunt of costs for the uninsured," said Ron
Pollack, executive director of Families USA.
Nearly 48 million Americans will lack
health insurance for 2005, the report said.
Uninsured patients pay about one-third
of the costs of their care provided by doctors and
hospitals, the report said.
The remaining costs -- more $43 billion
in 2005 -- are considered "uncompensated care." The
government picks up part of the tab and most of the rest
is added to insurance premiums for people with health
coverage, the report said.
"Ironically, this increases the cost of
health insurance and results in fewer people who can
afford insurance -- a vicious circle," the report said.
The costs for people with insurance vary
by state based on a number of variables, including the
percentage of uninsured in a state and the amount local,
state and federal governments contribute.
The report was based on data from the
Census Bureau, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, the National Center for Health Statistics and
other sources.
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