Georgia Families See Health Premiums Outstrip Income ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Health insurance premiums for the average Georgian family are way outstripping the median household income. That's what a report from the Washington-based health care advocacy group Families USA says.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Between 2000 and 2009, the average family saw its premiums rise six times faster than the median income. And here's the real kicker, says Ron Pollack of Families USA:

POLLACK: These increasing premium costs are purchasing thinner coverage, coverage that comes with higher deductibles, higher copayments, and lesser coverage.

The study also finds that employers are shifting the increase largely onto the shoulders of workers. Again, looking at premiums for family coverage, employers are paying roughly 70% more now than in 2000. Workers are paying more than 140% more.

Georgia is by no means the worst of all states: in Michigan, premiums rose 13 times faster than earnings.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.
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