
Despite
being the richest country, the United States spends the largest percentage of its Gross Domestic Product
on Health Care, spending 36%
more than the next highest countries of Switzerland and Germany. (
A corresponding skyrocketing rate in private insurance premiums has taken place. The average cost of family coverage is over $11,000 per year. (
Since 2000, premiums for family coverage
have increased
87%, the dollar amount the average worker pays has increased correspondingly while the inflation rate has increased only 18% and the average wage only 20%. (