And that causes a chain reaction, with fees rising for insured patients and insurance companies raising premiums on those they cover.

VOA: standard.2010.02.25

Social security premiums have increased in the last 20 years, putting families on the threshold of poverty.

VOA: standard.2010.02.25

LeMieux also complains the Democrats plan has new taxes on health insurance providers which he says would be passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums.

VOA: standard.2009.10.10

Under the House bill, the prohibition on denying coverage would begin one year earlier in 2013, with similar prohibitions on higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions or gender.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

It's just that we have to open our eyes and see." Abe attributes the increase in child poverty to the country's changing demographics, struggling economy and high social security premiums.

VOA: standard.2010.02.25

Premiums and services are regulated by the government.

VOA: standard.2009.09.28

"And every senator who goes on record saying that we need to proceed to this monstrosity of a bill, will in effect be voting for higher taxes,higher premiums and cuts in medicare,".

VOA: standard.2009.11.23

John Freeman took that gamble a few years ago. The 62-year-old retired computer analyst dropped his health care insurance because the high monthly premiums and a huge deductible were eating up his retirement savings.

VOA: standard.2010.04.08

While the House bill would immediately bar private insurance companies from denying coverage or raising insurance premiums based on age or gender, the Senate would wait until 2014 for this to take effect, except for children who would be covered immediately.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25