US HEALTHCARE COSTS HAVE INCREASED NEARLY 80% SINCE 2003 - Cost Have Risen To $3 Trillion

(08/01/2014)
By Bob Weaver

Healthcase costs are no among the talking points.

America has the highest heathcare costs in the world among developed countries, including the cost of pharmaceuticals.

Since 2003, WalletHub said the average annual health insurance premium for a single person increased by 74 percent and family coverage increased by 80 percent.

Up to 40% of family debt out for collection is for healthcare.

The USA spends more than two times as much as other industrialized countries— totaling almost $3 trillion a year—on health care costs, but Americans have shorter life spans, higher infant death rates and more cases of chronic illness than other wealthy countries, according to WalletHub.

The exorbitant cost of healthcare is not a key issue in the battle against Obamacare. Some critics of Obamacare say that the expansive, difficult to understand and implement program, was carved by lobbyists representing the healthcare and insurance industries.

WalletHub projects WV being the second highest state benefiting from Obamacare.

West Virginia ranks 46th is overhall health of its citizens, and ranks 36th on return for investment.

WalletHub.com has ranked the nation's states for best and worst healthcare "return on investment" (ROI) and found a handful of southern states are wanting, including West Virginia.

WalletHub's findings showed Minnesota has the lowest healthcare costs, with an average insurance premium of $2,292, while Alaska has the highest ($5,424).

Residents in blue states tend to have a better rating than those in red states.

The states where you'll get the most "bang for your buck" when it comes to your health: Minnesota, Utah, Kansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Arizona, Maryland, and Idaho.

States with the lowest "bang for your buck" are Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.