Why Your Raise Is Finally Beating the Cost of Health Insurance

In this episode of Wages and Prices, Lucas and Luna break down why health insurance is the one big expense that's been growing faster than wages for years — and why that's finally starting to change. With average hourly earnings up to $37.60 and the CPI actually dipping slightly in June 2026, they dig into the numbers behind employer-sponsored premiums, the role of the employment cost index, and what a cooling core inflation rate means for your wallet. They also examine the tricky relationship between insurance costs and wage growth, and why this shift matters for workers who've been squeezed for a decade. Plus, a quick look at how the Fed's divided stance on inflation could influence future healthcare costs. If you've ever wondered why your paycheck feels like it's running in place, this episode explains the one area where it's finally starting to pull ahead. #HealthInsurance #WageGrowth #CostOfLiving #Economics #Inflation #Podcast #WagesAndPrices #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WorkersPurchasingPower #EmploymentCostIndex #CoreInflation #FederalReserve #CPI #Premiums #WorkplaceBenefits #EconomicIndicators #LaborMarket Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo