The Next Wave of Rising Costs Facing Workers
From Politico — Sep 15th, 2026
U.S. employers are facing another major cost crunch as health benefit expenses are projected to rise 8.2% next year, putting additional pressure on businesses and workers. Higher medical spending, driven by hospital costs and expensive specialty drugs, could translate into higher premiums, reduced coverage, or slower wage growth.
With lawmakers considering new measures to address rising health care costs, Spencer Perlman, Director of Health Care Research at Veda Partners, said he does not expect Congress to make significant progress. He described potential reforms as “low-hanging fruit,” but cautioned that the current Congress is unlikely to meaningfully address the broader drivers of health care costs.
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