A Wisconsin Congressman says steps must be taken to lower the cost of health care for Americans.
A report from Families USA shows nearly a quarter of Wisconsin residents will spend at least 10-percent of their pre-tax income on health care over the next year. Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) says the costs add up quickly, when you consider prices for energy, education, and even food are also rising.
Kind says the report shows action is needed now and he hopes it will help develop a national consensus that the time to act has long passed. Otherwise, he worries that rising prices will force many Americans to drop health coverage.
The Wisconsin Democrat says there are many options for lowering the cost of health care, such as his proposal to end the tax self-employed workers must pay on already expensive health insurance. Kind says providers must also find ways to pass cost-savings on to consumers.