Cost of employer provided health insurance double in US in a decade

Employer sponsored health insurance premiums in the US have more than doubled over the past decade, far outstripping wages and inflation. About half of all US citizens gain access to health insurance through their employer.

The latest increase was 9% over last year. Family coverage averaged $15 073 (£9600; €11 000), with employers contributing $10 944 and workers $4129. The data come from the Employer Health Benefits Survey 2011, an annual report by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust. The survey was released on 27 September.

Companies continue to shift a greater portion of health costs to their workers by increasing their …