Survey: Health insurance cost growth outpaces everything else

But the rate of increase was less than 10 percent for the first time since 2001.

Des Moines Register: Survey: Health Insurance Costs Still Outpace Everything Else, But Slowing Slightly
Costs for all types of medical plans are expected to increase by 9.9 percent in 2012, according to a survey by Buck Consultants, a division of Xerox. This is the first time since 2001 that the survey has projected cost increases less than 10 percent for any type of plan, so a 9.9 percent increase can almost be seen as a victory. Employers are looking for ways to cut the rising cost of health insurance. Buck has been conducting its survey since 1999 (Belz, 4/11).

The Hill: Survey: Growth In Health Costs Is Slowing
Healthcare costs aren't growing quite as rapidly as they have in the past, according to new research from Buck Consultants. The study predicts that health insurance costs will rise this year by less than 10 percent -; the first time growth has been that low in more than a decade. The findings could undermine Republicans' argument that President Obama's healthcare law is driving costs higher (Baker, 4/11).