Monday October 19, 2009, 2:43 pm
"We recognize that this is a hard economy," said Cheryl Fish-Parcham, deputy director of health policy with Families USA, a health care consumer advocacy group.

"We know that medical debt is growing. We know that [employer-based] coverage is thinning," said Fish-Parcham. "This is a really difficult environment for everyone. That's why we're all looking forward to health reform."



So how are employers tweaking health care benefits options in 2010? Here's the rundown:

1. Higher out-of-pocket costs.
2. Co-pay to co-insurance.
3. Fewer options.
4. Consumer-directed health plans.
5. Closer scrutiny of dependent coverage.
6. Incentives to stay healthy.

Tuesday October 20, 2009, 4:26 am
This might just give people a reason to support health care reform. A timely reminder that the status quo isn't acceptable anymore.

Wednesday October 21, 2009, 2:11 pm
And they wonder why people may flock to a single-payer plan....