By George Anderson
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research Educational Trust says employees participating in employer-sponsored health plans are paying 48 percent more for their own care than they did three years ago.
Employee contributions are expected to continue climbing as employers seek to address skyrocketing medical costs. A report in last week's New York Times, citing the Kaiser study, said 79 percent of employers expect to raise employee healthcare plan contributions in 2004.
Moderator's Comment: How are rising medical costs affecting retailing and related industries? What needs to be done to address this issue for the benefit of employees and employers alike?
Drew Altman, president, Kaiser Family Foundation put it succinctly, "Workers pay substantially more, companies raise prices and they hire fewer people." [George Anderson - Moderator]