Peter Smith
● According to a report from The Kobeissi Letter, family health insurance premiums hit an all-time high of nearly $27,000 annually in 2025. That's a 6% jump from 2024, continuing a three-year trend of premium growth outpacing inflation. As the report put it: "Health insurance costs have never been higher."
● The increases aren't slowing down — premiums rose 7% in both 2023 and 2024 before this year's 6% hike. Since 2000, family premiums have skyrocketed over 350%, while wages and general inflation haven't kept pace. The gap keeps widening, putting more pressure on both families and businesses.
● Small businesses are getting hit especially hard. More than half reported premium increases of 10% or higher in 2025. Many are now cutting benefits, asking employees to pay more, or eating the costs themselves, which hurts their bottom line. KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey data shows contributions from both workers and employers keep climbing, pushing total premiums toward that $27,000 mark.
● These rising costs act like a hidden tax on jobs — they squeeze take-home pay, make it harder for companies to hire, and hurt competitiveness, especially for smaller firms. The Kobeissi Letter points out this isn't just a temporary spike — it's a fundamental shift in how healthcare economics work in America.
Peter Smith
