---
title: The Missing Debate Over Rising Health-Care Deductibles - WSJ
description: People aren't debating about the rising cost of healthcare deductibles, which started before implementation of the ACA.
image: https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/Blog_pictures/healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg
---

[![Nonstop](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png?width=1501&name=Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png "Nonstop")](https://www.nonstophealth.com/)

**

- [ Outcomes ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/the-missing-debate-over-rising-health-care-deductibles-wsj#) 
    - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg)
      
      Benefits
      
      Nonstop Health can improve benefits and lower costs for employees and employers.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/benefits)
    - [![icon-2](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-2.svg)
      
      Services & Technology
      
      Get the most out of your plan with easy administration and usage tracking.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/services)
- [ Resources ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/the-missing-debate-over-rising-health-care-deductibles-wsj#) 
    - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg)
      
      Support
      
      Our support team is ready to help, whether you’re an employer, member, or broker.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/support)
    - [![icon-3](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-3.svg)
      
      Case Studies
      
      Seeing our solution in action.
      
      
      
      ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/case-studies)
    - [![icon-4](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-4.svg)
      
      Blog
      
      Insights and updates to help navigate the health insurance landscape.
      
      
      
      ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com)
    - [![icon-5](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-5.svg)
      
      Podcasts
      
      A collection of conversations built to inspire.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/podcast)
    - [![icon-6](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-6.svg)
      
      Webinar & Guides
      
      Insights and resources to help your organization thrive.
      
      
      
      ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/resources)
- [ About Us ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/the-missing-debate-over-rising-health-care-deductibles-wsj#) 
    - [![icon-7](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-7.svg)
      
      Our Team
      
      Learn about who we are and what drives us.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/about-us)
    - [![icon-8](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-8.svg)
      
      Careers
      
      Discover rewarding employment opportunities with Nonstop.
      
      
      
      ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/careers)
- [ Account login ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/alert) 
    - [ For employees ](https://members.prod.nonstophealth.com/)
    - [ For employers ](https://clients.nonstophealth.com/)
    - [ For brokers ](https://channel.nonstophealth.com/)
- [ Contact Us ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/contact-us)

# The Missing Debate Over Rising Health-Care Deductibles - WSJ

![](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/Blog_pictures/healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg)

![healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg?width=320&name=healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg)

Drew Altman writes on increasing deductible costs, “which are transforming the nature of health insurance from more comprehensive coverage to skimpier insurance with higher out-of-pocket costs.” 

Read the full original article from [The Wall Street Journal](http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/09/18/the-missing-debate-over-rising-health-care-deductibles/?utm_campaign=KFF-2016-September-Drew-Rising-Health-Care-Deductibles&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_C5mlcFnCgbt4dYrmydrritQ9KprSru4gR32FZYCUtXfBnf5Yl).

Altman notes that this change has come on gradually and not as a result of the Affordable Care Act or any policy shifts, as it started before the ACA was passed. The lack of association with the controversial healthcare bill has left rising deductibles essentially out of the debate around current healthcare. He calls it “the most important development in the U.S. health system the public is not debating.”

Those who opt for healthcare plans with lower deductibles are seeing increases in premiums instead - even those who receive healthcare benefits from their employers are now having to pay out-of-pocket for those benefits. One solution to this problem is partial self-insurance. Employers can save a baseline of 12.5% on healthcare spend while eliminating those rising out-of-pocket costs for employees. **Download the Nonstop Quick Guide to Partial Self-Insurance to learn more:**

**[![Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/569324/4078a3c6-25c2-49ab-b106-ab4f22da614a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/569324/4078a3c6-25c2-49ab-b106-ab4f22da614a)**

The information and materials herein are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal or other advice or opinions on any specific matters and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, plan provider or other professional advisor. This information has been taken from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy. This communication does not constitute a legal opinion and should not be relied upon for any purpose other than its intended educational purpose.

### Contact us to learn more or request a quote

[ Contact us ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/contact-us)

![logo2](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/logo2.svg "logo2")

###### Outcomes

###### Resources

###### About Us

###### Support

###### Log In

###### Contact Us

[877-626-6057](tel:+18776266057)

[info@nonstophealth.com](mailto:info@nonstophealth.com)

![IBA-Top-Insurance-Employers-2023-02](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Nonstop/images/IBA-Top-Insurance-Employers-2023-02.png?width=200&height=200&name=IBA-Top-Insurance-Employers-2023-02.png "IBA-Top-Insurance-Employers-2023-02") ![ISO 27001-2022 Certified](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025-nonstop/images/ISO-TMP-06-20250909-v2.0-27001-2022-monochrome.png?width=200&name=ISO-TMP-06-20250909-v2.0-27001-2022-monochrome.png "ISO 27001-2022 Certified")

[**](https://www.facebook.com/nonstopadministration) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nonstophealth/)

 © Copyright 2026 Nonstop Administration and Insurance Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.   
[Terms & Conditions](https://www.nonstophealth.com/terms) [Privacy Policy](https://www.nonstophealth.com/privacy)

![](https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion/956372538/?label=3qxXCITJiXMQuqyEyAM&guid=ON&script=0) 

![](https://d.adroll.com/ipixel/PMCH667P6NEXHJHIEDXH37/J3M7OAWEBZCXTPRCQNT4HP?name=914ca9da)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Kathleen Callaghan",
    "url" : "https://blog.nonstophealth.com/author/kathleen-callaghan"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2016-09-23T12:31:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "The Missing Debate Over Rising Health-Care Deductibles - WSJ",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/Blog_pictures/healthcare_increase_vs_other_expenses.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.nonstophealth.com/the-missing-debate-over-rising-health-care-deductibles-wsj",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/Logos%20and%20Icons/NonstopHealth_Logo_wTag-22-Horizontal%20(1).png"
    },
    "name" : "Nonstop"
  }
}
```