New survey data shows that annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 5 percent to $19,616 for family plans and 3 percent to $6,896 for single coverage in 2018, continuing the upward trend. The average covered worker is responsible for about 29 percent of the premium for family coverage and 18 percent of the premium for single coverage. And to add on to those costs, a growing share of covered workers face a general annual deductible. Since 2008, general annual deductibles for covered workers have increased more than eight times as fast as wages. This puts a strain on American families’ pocketbooks, as workers have to cover more and more of their health care bills out of pocket.

In a series called "Innovation Spotlight," Joint Economic Committee Democrats are highlighting cutting-edge policy solutions that empower small towns and rural communities across the nation. The latest edition looks at opioid addiction recovery programs in New Hampshire.

New evidence shows that offering two years of high-quality preschool at zero cost boosted labor force participation among mothers in Washington D.C. at both ends of the income spectrum and across all levels of educational attainment. Mothers with less than a high school degree experienced the largest gains. The city now boasts the highest maternal labor force participation rate (LFPR) in the nation. From 2008 to 2016, the LFPR rose 15 points for mothers below 100 percent of the poverty line and 13 points for mothers above 500 of the poverty line. This is further evidence that universal preschool programs are a worthwhile investment in families, providing educational benefits for children and allowing more women to participate in the labor force.