Although many right-wingers will tell you that the current health care system works fine, the majority of Americans are happy with the plan they already have, and only a small number of uninsured people would benefit from reform....we know that's just not true.

With health spending projected to double if we don't enact real reform, middle and lower income families are at high risk of losing their health coverage--or facing an impending future of stagnant incomes.

Premiums are eating up middle-class incomes: Over the past decade, insurance premiums have been rising in cost at a much greater rate than income in the U.S...and not by a small amount. A recent report by the non-profit, non-partisan Commonwealth Fund found that premiums have been ballooned so much that employer-sponsored health coverage for families has increased by 119 percent between 1999 and 2008.

What's even scarier: The report determined that rates could jump by 94 percent in the coming decade if cost growth continues on its current course--to $23,842 per family.

According to the report's state-by-state analysis, the five-year increase (2003 to 2008) in employer-based premiums for family coverage averaged 33 percent. In 2008, total premiums equaled or exceeded 18 percent of the average household income for the under-65 population in 18 states. The states with the highest premium costs for families in 2008--just over $13,500--included Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

The report also estimates what would happen if payment and health system reforms were implemented--including the choice of a public plan option--and able to slow cost increases by 1 to 1.5 percent per year. The goal of reducing spending growth by 1.5% for the next 10 years, which could lead to more than $3,700 in premium savings compared to current trends, was first pledged by President Obama in coordination with SEIU, AHIP, AMA, AHA, PhRMA, and AdvaMed in early May.

Download the Commonwealth Fund's new report on health insurance.