A new study shows family health care premiums in Maine have grown more than four and a half times faster than income over the past decade. That's according to Families USA, which released the study today.
The group, which advocates for health care reform, said today in a media conference call that insurance premiums in Maine rose 101 percent during the period, while Mainers' income went up by only 22 percent.
Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack says the average yearly health insurance premium for Maine families skyrocketed from $6,915 back in 2000 to $13,927 in 2009.
Maine 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who participated in the conference call, said the statistics highlight the urgent need for health care reform. She says both families and businesses are struggling to pay health insurance premiums.
Pingree says resolving the cost of health care and ensuring that care is accessible and affordable for all "would be the biggest boost to the Maine economy than anything we could possibly do."