The average family premium for health insurance offered through an employer surpassed the $13,000 mark this year, and the cost of coverage continues to outpace increases in wages and inflation, according to a report released Tuesday. "The current legislation would actually encourage insurance companies
to raise rates in order to increase profits," said Jerry Flanagan,
health policy analyst with Consumer Watchdog, which is based in Santa
Monica. "If the government is going to require all Americans to buy health
insurance, then the government has the responsibility to make insurance
affordable.