Worker Health Insurance Contributions Rise 308% Since 1999, Outpacing Earnings and Inflation

Research published in JAMA Network Open highlights that average worker contributions to family health insurance premiums have surged by 308% from 1999 to 2024. This increase significantly outpaces wage growth at 119% and inflation at 64%, indicating escalating cost burdens on employees despite economic adjustments. The study utilized comprehensive data from the Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey, alongside inflation and wage metrics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, covering trends over a 25-year period. This data underscores ongoing challenges within employer-sponsored insurance frameworks where premium costs rise disproportionately relative to earnings and general inflation.