By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-894701.mp3
Albany, NY – New York State has the highest health insurance rates in the nation... for "individual plan" buyers. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
Most New Yorkers have health insurance through their employers. Fewer than 70-thousand people across the state hold basic individual health policies, and their numbers are shrinking. A Washington DC -based industry trade group finds that a basic policy premium for a single individual in New York averages $66-hundred -- over $1,000 more than second-place Massachusetts. Between 2000 and 2009 health insurance premiums in New York have gone up 92% and median wages just 11%. For a family plan, New Yorkers pay more than 13-thusand dollars annually. The insurance industry blames taxes and regulations. State Senator Neil Breslin (who chairs the Senate Insurance Committee), supports the idea of restoring the requirement that health insurers get permission from the state Insurance Department before raising rates. Breslin has joined Gov. David Paterson is calling for the return of "prior approval" - officials expect the push for "prior approval" will factor into state budget negotiations.