Quoted Text

Health care costs to increase 7% for large employers
The Business Journals by Kent Hoover, Washington Bureau Chief
Date: Monday, August 6, 2012, 2:17pm EDT

Large employers expect their health insurance costs will increase 7 percent next year, according to a survey conducted by the National Business Group on Health.
“Rising health care costs continue to plague employers at an alarming rate,” said Helen Darling, the association’s president and CEO. “Although cost increases have stabilized somewhat, they are still on a higher base from last year and are simply not sustainable, especially when our nation’s economy and workers’ wages are virtually flat and everybody is struggling.”
Instead of fixing this cost problem, health care reform likely will make it worse, Darling said. That’s because of the mandated benefits required by the law and its administrative requirements, she said........................>>>>...................>>>>...................http://www.bizjournals.com/biz.....-increase-7-for.html

Note that earnings is for "production and non-supervisory workers". I don't fall into that category (am white collarin multi-billion dollar corporation) and my wage increases have been 2.0% to 3.0% consistantly for the last 10 years.....that does not compete with cost of living. Add into that my helath care contributions have risen consistantly 10% each year and co-pay has gone from $10 to $25 and now limited, with specialist co-pay up to $50.  That means my salary has risen (marginally) but my dollar earnings power has diminshed over the past 10 years...right! While company earnings have increased, investor dividends have increased, and CEO's have earned record bonuses and salaries. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE????? And please don't tell me that Mr. Rmoney is the answer...becuae we all know better, even if we don't want to admit it.

Quoted Text

That’s because of the mandated benefits required by the law

That just about sums it up when  you are paying your health care costs!!
Don't b**ch at the insurance compaies..............it's GOV ALMIGHTY'S mandates!