what the what?!?

A recent New York Post article begins with the provocative assertion that "It now costs more to buy health insurance than it does to rent a two-bedroom apartment in the Financial District."

The article then goes on to discuss the rise in health care costs for New York City dwellers in the past year. According to the newspaper's analysis, the average monthly premium has risen 13% since April 2008; then, the average family paid $3,866 per month, now, they pay $4,354. That, according to the Post, "exceeds the $3,947 monthly rent for a place in a no-doorman building downtown."

The Post breaks down the rise by insurance company; the company that raised its rates the most was GHI HMO select, whose out of network fees went up 35%, followed by Aetna, who raised rates 27%. Rates should go up even more, the article says, since companies are expected to pass along an $853 million dollar insurance-related tax in this year's state budget. The Post also noted that there are fewer insurers in New York now than in the past; in 2004, thirteen companies offered insurance in NYC, now eight do.

Finally, the cheery article noted that things will almost certainly get worse before they get better, since more and more New Yorkers are opting out of health insurance, leaving the pool of contributors smaller and sicker.

Blerg.