Insurance premiums rising faster than income in Iowa

A new report shows health insurance premiums rose more than three times faster than earnings for Iowans this decade.

Families USA, a consumer health organization, reported Thursday that insurance premiums rose by 79.4 percent, while median earnings rose by only 24.5 percent from 2000 through 2009.

According to the report, for family health coverage provided through the workplace in Iowa, the average annual health insurance premium (employer and worker shares combined) in that period rose from $6,487 to $11,637. Median earnings of Iowa's workers rose from $22,147 to $27,566.

The report notes the increases in insurance premiums have continued despite employees receiving coverage that offers fewer benefits and/or comes with higher deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance.